Thurston to take the helm at HS2

Mark Thurston is the new chief executive of HS2 Ltd.

He is currently regional managing director for CH2M, overseeing its European operations. He replaces Simon Kirby, who left HS2 Ltd last year for Rolls-Royce.

Thurston has worked in the rail industry for more than 30 years, working for Transport for London, The Nichols Group and Metronet. He has been with CH2M since 2008, working on the London 2012 Olympics and as the lead for the company’s Programme Partner joint venture on Crossrail.

HS2 Ltd said he was appointed following a five-month global search, which included 20 candidates working on projects across the world.

For more on this story see RAIL 820, published on February 15.​