The
chief
executive
of
HS2
Ltd
Mark
Thurston


has
announced
that
he
will
leaving
the
company
in
the
autumn,
after
leading
the
company
since
March
2017.

He has
decided
to
stand
down
when
the
controversial
project
to
build
a
high
speed
terminus
at
London
Euston
has
been
put
on
hold
for
at
least
two
years,
while
the
costs
are
reviewed.

He
also
seen
the
network
cut
back
from
Leeds
and
Sheffield
to
East
Midlands
Parkway.

He
said:
‘Leading
this
organisation
has
been
the
highlight
of
my
career
and
a
privilege
from
the
first
day
–
the
programme
has
come
such
a
long
way
and
I
want
to
thank
everyone
who
has
worked
on
the
project
during
my
time.  

‘The
next
18
to
24
months
will
see
the
project
move
into
an
exciting
new
stage.
I
have
agreed
with
the
Board
that
someone
else
should
lead
the
organisation
and
programme
through
what
will
be
another
defining
period
for
HS2.’

Mark
Thurston
joined
the
company
shortly
after
the
Act
of
Parliament
authorising
Phase
1
between
London
and
Birmingham
had
received
Royal
Assent.

Transport
secretary
Mark
Harper
said:
‘I’d
like
to
thank
Mark
Thurston
for
his
work
over
the
last
six
years
progressing
Britain’s
most
transformative
rail
project.
As
well
as
successfully
overseeing
the
start
of
construction,
he
has
ensured
HS2
has
created
tens
of
thousands
of
skilled
jobs
and
apprenticeships
across
the
country.

‘As
HS2
enters
its
next
phase,
the
Government
remains
committed
to
unlocking
all
the
benefits
of
this
flagship
infrastructure
scheme
–
increasing
rail
capacity,
connecting
communities
and
growing
the
economy.’

HS2
chairman
Sir
Jon
Thompson
will
become
executive
chairman
for
a
time
from
October.