CH2M boss Roy Hill to lead HS2

Hill previously led the project through its early stages as delivery director

HS2 Ltd has appointed Roy Hill as interim chief executive following the departure of Simon Kirby.

Hill, who will be seconded from engineering consultancy CH2M, will take up his new position in November.

It will be Hill’s second stint at HS2 – he previously led the project through its early stages as delivery director and played a significant role in ensuring contractors and suppliers were engaged early in the project.

David Higgins, HS2 Ltd chairman, said: “I’m pleased to welcome Roy Hill back to the team. His understanding of the project and the industry puts him in an excellent position to continue the significant progress made under Simon Kirby while we continue our search for a permanent CEO.

“Roy’s secondment from CH2M will allow HS2 to benefit from his broad experience overseeing some of the world’s most complex infrastructure projects. He is uniquely qualified to fill this interim role, seeing HS2 through its upcoming milestones and into the start of construction next year.”

Kirby left the project in September to become chief operating officer at Rolls-Royce.