Dame Judith Hackitt joins HS2 board

Dame Judith Hackitt

Dame Judith Hackitt and Stephen Hughes have both been appointed to the board of HS2 as non-executive directors, as former Crossrail chief executive Andrew Wolstenholme steps down.

Hackitt, an engineer by profession, was the chair of the independent review of Building Regulations and fire safety and is chair of manufacturing trade body Make UK (formerly EEF). She also holds non-executive positions at Made Smarter Commission, Imperial College Court, City & Guilds Group, and High Value Manufacturing Catapult.

Stephen Hughes has previously served as chief executive of Birmingham City Council for nearly 10 years, as well as previously holding an executive role at Brent Council. He is also a non-executive director for Housing & Care 21 and Big Band.

Alongside the new appointments, transport secretary Chris Grayling also announced the re-appointment of two existing non-executive directors – Ed Smith and Roger Mountford – for a further three years.

But Wolstenholme, who has served on the board since June 2018 and was Crossrail chief executive between 2011 and 2018, has now left.

Allan Cook, chair of HS2, said: “With work on the first phase now well underway, I’m pleased to welcome Dame Judith and Stephen to the HS2 board. Their experience of industry, governance and leadership will add new strength to our board as we continue to deliver Britain’s transformative new high-speed rail link.”

Hackitt said: “Modernisation of our national infrastructure is vitally important for future growth and prosperity and the development and delivery of HS2 is an essential part of that. I am very much looking forward to joining the HS2 board and being part of this national project.

Hughes added: “I am delighted to be appointed to the board of HS2. I have been passionate about this project for many years. It is not just about solving the problems with rail capacity, but it will also deliver significant regenerative benefits to our major cities and the regional economies they support. I am pleased to be able to help deliver those benefits in whatever ways I can.”