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HS2 Chairman to Step Down Amid Rising Costs and Leadership Changes
Sir Jon Thompson, chairman of HS2 Ltd, will step down from his role next year, following nearly four years of involvement with the UK’s largest rail project. Thompson, who initially joined as a non-executive director in April 2021, was appointed chair in February 2023. Later that year, he assumed the role of executive chair in September after the resignation of former chief executive Mark Thurston.
HS2 Ltd has confirmed that the search for Thompson’s replacement will begin soon. Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander acknowledged Thompson’s contributions, highlighting his leadership during challenging periods for the project. “I want to thank Sir Jon for his work over nearly four years to progress Britain’s largest rail project,” Alexander said, adding that the new leadership will focus on managing budgets and schedules to ensure cost-effective delivery for both passengers and taxpayers.
Thompson’s professional journey began in local government, followed by roles within the Civil Service, including stints at Ofsted, the Department for Education, and the Ministry of Defence. He previously held chief executive positions at HMRC and the Financial Reporting Council.
Thompson’s departure coincides with growing concerns about HS2’s escalating costs. Confidential government documents, reported by the Financial Times, revealed that the budget for the London Euston section has surpassed £7.5bn. The National Audit Office (NAO) had already revised its cost estimate for the station to £4.8bn in 2023. A Department for Transport (DfT) document, labelled “official – sensitive: commercial,” suggests overall HS2 construction costs could rise by an additional £9bn, pushing the project’s total to approximately £66bn. An upcoming DfT report is expected to outline figures between £54bn and £66bn, based on a June 2023 HS2 board paper.
Indurent Secures Approval for Major Industrial Development in Staffordshire
Meanwhile, in Staffordshire, property developer Indurent has secured planning approval for a significant 385,000 sq ft industrial and logistics development. The project forms part of the 127-acre Uttoxeter SUE scheme and will include two units—one measuring 300,000 sq ft and the other 85,000 sq ft.
The development aligns with Indurent’s sustainable building principles, targeting a BREEAM ‘Excellent’ rating and an EPC A or A+ rating. Both units will feature high-spec office spaces and flexible industrial layouts.
The broader scheme, which received outline planning consent in 2022, will include 4.6 hectares of employment land, up to 162 homes, and landscaped areas. Indurent Park Uttoxeter is projected to generate 580 full-time jobs, along with 160 construction roles.
Jessica Evans, senior planning manager at Indurent, described the project as a significant economic driver for the region. “The development will create over 700 jobs across construction and operational phases, providing modern, sustainable workspaces for industrial, distribution, and high-growth sectors like advanced manufacturing.”
Indurent’s expansion is part of a wider initiative to boost the West Midlands’ economy, creating long-term employment and contributing to regional growth.
