Introduction
The High Speed Two (HS2) programme is delivered by HS2 Ltd, a company limited by guarantee, wholly owned, controlled and funded by the DfT. HS2 Ltd has a single shareholder in the Secretary of State for Transport and is classified as a Non-Departmental Public Body (NDPB) by the Cabinet Office.
The HS2 Ltd Board provides overall leadership of the Company. It is led by Sir Jon Thompson, currently in the capacity as Executive Chair until a permanent Chief Executive Officer is appointed, at which point he will return to his position of Chair.
HS2 Ltd’s responsibilities include developing sustainable proposals for the route. It is also responsible for working with the DfT to secure the necessary Parliamentary approvals and powers to undertake the development, construction and operation of the railway.
As set out in the Department’s November 2023 Parliamentary Report the Government announced a new plan, via the Network North command paper, to improve transport across Great Britain on 4 October 2023. This plan directs spending away from future phases of HS2 towards local and regional transport schemes, whilst committing to the improved delivery of HS2 Phase 1.
The Government remains committed to completing Phase 1 of HS2 between London and the West Midlands. There will be two branches: one to central Birmingham, and one to Handsacre, near Lichfield, meaning passengers will be able to travel on HS2 trains through to Manchester, Liverpool and Scotland, joining the West Coast Main Line for the rest of their journeys. HS2 will bring our biggest cities and economic regions closer together with high-capacity, low-carbon transport, helping build a skilled and productive workforce that will deliver future infrastructure better.
Introduction from the Secretary of State
Dear Applicant,
Thank you for your interest applying to be a Non-Executive Director on the board of HS2 Ltd.
This is an important time for the Department for Transport. We are investing heavily in infrastructure and public transport to improve journeys, boost connections, and level up the country. Central to our mission is delivering transport that works for everyone in our society.
We are recruiting for Non-Executive Directors to join the Board of HS2 Ltd. The Prime Minister’s Network North announcement set a new direction for transport in the North. HS2 is now strategically centred on delivering Phase 1 of the programme between London and Birmingham, with a renewed focus on cost control, which will be delivered alongside improvements across rail, buses, and roads. HS2’s role is significant; it still remains the largest single investment in our public transport system, which will improve journey times and increase capacity along the West Coast Main Line corridor.
To help deliver this mission, we are looking for exceptional individuals to join the HS2 Ltd Board. If you have a track record of delivering major infrastructure projects and recent and relevant Board experience at either Executive or Non-Executive level, we would like to hear from you.
We strongly welcome applications from all backgrounds. As part of the Department’s commitment to diversity, we believe our public appointments should reflect our customers - the travelling public – who come from all walks of life and have different experiences. We very much welcome fresh talent, expertise, and perspectives, to help us better understand the needs of the communities we serve and support better decision making for all. This includes people who may have never applied for a public appointment – but could bring new ideas, insights and energy.
If you are interested in the role and work of HS2 Ltd, I would like to encourage you to apply.
Our dedicated DfT Public Appointments Team would be happy to talk through the process and answer your questions.
The Rt Hon Mark Harper MP
Secretary of State for Transport
Role description
NEDs of HS2 Ltd are responsible for pursuing the objectives of HS2 Ltd through:
- Providing challenge and guidance to the executive team and support HS2 Ltd in the exercise of its responsibilities.
- Ensuring that the Department for Transport’s requirements (as funder, shareholder and sponsor), are adhered to throughout the development of the project.
- Ensuring that high standards of corporate governance are observed and high standards of regularity and propriety are maintained in line with best practice and statutory requirements.
- Ensuring that stakeholder relationships with partner organisations are developed and improved.
- Sitting on sub-committees of the HS2 Ltd Board as required.
Regulation of appointment
This post is regulated by the Commissioner for Public Appointments. For more information, please refer to the
Commissioner’s website