In a surprise move HS2’s chief executive has resigned from his £750,000-a-year post to become chief operating officer with Derby-based Rolls Royce.
Chairman David Higgins played down the departure of Simon Kirby and pointed to the depth of experience in the HS2 management board.
Higgins said: “I am delighted for both Simon and Rolls Royce that he has been appointed to this position. Whilst naturally we will miss his experience and leadership, I also recognise that he is joining a truly great, global company in an industry in which he has previously worked.
“In his two and half years with the company, Simon has used his vast experience to recruit and shape a world-class team which over the coming years and decades will turn HS2 into a reality that will be of lasting benefit to this country.
“That team will continue that process as we start and complete the process of finding Simon’s successor.”
Kirby joined HS2 in May 2014. He was previously on the board of Network Rail as managing director of its infrastructure projects business. Before this he worked in the defence industry, variously with VSEL, GEC Marconi and BAE Systems.
He made no suggestion that his departure in any way reflected any lack of confidence in the £55bn project’s future. “HS2 is not just a highly ambitious project, but also one which will leave a lasting legacy for Britain,” he said. “It has been, therefore, a huge honour to have been its chief executive and to have been involved in creating a leadership team made up of the best talents from this country and elsewhere.
“I have absolute confidence in their ability to deliver the project and, in doing so, to help transform the way we do things in this country.”
