Asked by: Robert Flello (Labour - Stoke-on-Trent South)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment his Department has made of the effect of the reduction in the rail freight grant on the volume of freight that will be carried by (a) rail and (b) road.
Answered by Paul Maynard
Mode Shift Revenue Support (MSRS) awards made so far will help to remove about 140,000 fewer lorry journeys from road and onto rail in 2017/18 than the current year end forecast for 2016/17. For 2018/19, it is about 160,000 fewer.
This assessment is based on the first bid round for 2017/18 and 2018/19 funding which was held in December 2016.
Asked by: Robert Flello (Labour - Stoke-on-Trent South)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of 27 February 2017 to Question 64112, if he will publish details of Mark Thurston's previous experience, which was used to inform the decision to appoint him to the role of Chief Executive Officer of HS2 Ltd.
Answered by Andrew Jones
Mark Thurston brings a huge array of varied experience across 30 years in the infrastructure sector around Europe, and in UK rail especially. This includes starting out as an apprentice at TfL, to major international engineering and infrastructure companies The Nichols Group and CH2M. At CH2M, he was the lead for the Programme Partner joint venture on the Olympics and Crossrail as well as overseeing all of CH2M’s European operations. He has held roles at Metronet, Railtrack and Brown and Root Engineering and Construction.
Asked by: Robert Flello (Labour - Stoke-on-Trent South)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what criteria were used to set the £535,000 per annum base salary of the new chief executive officer of HS2.
Answered by Andrew Jones
HS2 Ltd conducted an extensive global search for the right candidate to take forward one of the largest and most exciting infrastructure programmes in the world.
The salary was identified as the level necessary to attract and then secure the right candidate to lead the HS2 Project. It has been bench-marked against the salaries for similar senior positions in comparable industry roles. It is a competitive salary for the demands of the role and the skills required.
The job specification which set out the skills and experience criteria were published on the HS2 Ltd website.
Skills
► Information analysis - An ability to assimilate complex, ambiguous and often incomplete information, in order to take action providing clear direction and purpose to the organisation and its stakeholders.
► An ability to understand and focus on detail as needed whilst maintaining the strategic vision and overview to keep the project focused.
► Public speaking & Ambassadorial skills - to lead innovation within the broader industry, working with technical bodies, trade associations, the supply chain and government.
► Ability to build, lead and motivate top executive teams and consensus within these teams and the board.
Knowledge
► An ability to assimilate complex, ambiguous and often incomplete information, in order to take action providing clear direction and purpose to the organisation and its stakeholders.
► Knowledge of best practice approaches to embedding continuous improvement culture as the organisation shifts from concept to delivery and adapts accordingly.
► Knowledge of inclusive leadership techniques and approaches.
► Qualifications: Applicants will most likely have a strong academic or professional training and have experience of dealing with complex engineering and business issues.
Experience
► Experience of leading a successful transformation of a large complex commercially-focused delivery organisation, achieving significant improvements in efficiency, effectiveness and customer service.
► Experience of leading an ingrained Health and Safety culture through personal leadership and commitment.
► Experience of effective strategic risk management, change control processes and capital allocation on large scale capital intensive projects or within organisations delivering in this environment.
► Experience of dealing with the procurement of a complex supply chain.
Asked by: Robert Flello (Labour - Stoke-on-Trent South)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what criteria his Department set out in recruiting the new Chief Executive Officer of HS2 Ltd on a record of successful delivery.
Answered by Andrew Jones
HS2 Ltd conducted an extensive global search for the right candidate to take forward one of the largest and most exciting infrastructure programmes in the world. The process was led by Sir David Higgins, supported by Heidrick and Struggles (an international executive search firm) that identified 20 candidates from four continents (including America, Australia, Asia, as well as Europe).
The job specification which set out the skills and experience criteria were published on the HS2 Ltd website.
Skills
► Information analysis - An ability to assimilate complex, ambiguous and often incomplete information, in order to take action providing clear direction and purpose to the organisation and its stakeholders.
► An ability to understand and focus on detail as needed whilst maintaining the strategic vision and overview to keep the project focused.
► Public speaking & Ambassadorial skills - to lead innovation within the broader industry, working with technical bodies, trade associations, the supply chain and government.
► Ability to build, lead and motivate top executive teams and consensus within these teams and the board.
Knowledge
► An ability to assimilate complex, ambiguous and often incomplete information, in order to take action providing clear direction and purpose to the organisation and its stakeholders.
► Knowledge of best practice approaches to embedding continuous improvement culture as the organisation shifts from concept to delivery and adapts accordingly.
► Knowledge of inclusive leadership techniques and approaches.
► Qualifications: Applicants will most likely have a strong academic or professional training and have experience of dealing with complex engineering and business issues.
Experience
► Experience of leading a successful transformation of a large complex commercially-focused delivery organisation, achieving significant improvements in efficiency, effectiveness and customer service.
► Experience of leading an ingrained Health and Safety culture through personal leadership and commitment.
► Experience of effective strategic risk management, change control processes and capital allocation on large scale capital intensive projects or within organisations delivering in this environment.
► Experience of dealing with the procurement of a complex supply chain.
Asked by: Robert Flello (Labour - Stoke-on-Trent South)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what due diligence processes his Department and HS2 Ltd carried out on the suitability of the new Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of HS2 Ltd; and what that CEO's experience is of leading a major UK infrastructure project.
Answered by Andrew Jones
HS2 Ltd’s search consultants, Heidrick and Struggles, conducted a worldwide search and an advertisement was placed in the Sunday Times. Candidates were interviewed initially by Heidrick and Struggles and a shortlist was developed. The final interview was conducted by a panel of 7, which included the Chair of HS2 Ltd, the Department for Transport (DfT) Permanent Secretary, the Director General for High Speed 2, a senior Treasury Official and non-Executive Directors of HS2 Ltd and DfT. References were taken and the appointment was approved by the Secretary of State for Transport.
Mark Thurston brings a huge array of varied experience across 30 years in the infrastructure sector around Europe, and in UK rail especially. This includes starting out as an apprentice at Transport for London, to major international engineering and infrastructure companies The Nichols Group and CH2M. At CH2M, he was the lead for the Programme Partner joint venture on the Olympics and Crossrail as well as overseeing all of CH2M’s European operations.
Asked by: Robert Flello (Labour - Stoke-on-Trent South)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will publish a list of all the rail industry roles and responsibilities previously held by the new Chief Executive Officer of HS2 Ltd.
Answered by Andrew Jones
Mark Thurston brings a huge array of varied experience across 30 years in the infrastructure sector around Europe, and in UK rail especially. This includes starting out as an apprentice at Transport for London, to major international engineering and infrastructure companies The Nichols Group and CH2M. Whilst at CH2M, he was lead for the Programme Partner joint venture on the Olympics and Crossrail as well as overseeing all of CH2M’s European operations. He has held roles at Metronet, Railtrack, Brown and Root Engineering and Construction.
Asked by: Robert Flello (Labour - Stoke-on-Trent South)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what work will be undertaken by the new chief executive of HS2 Ltd on Crossrail and the Olympic Delivery Authority at CH2M; and what his (a) role, (b) job specification and (c) job title is for those two projects.
Answered by Andrew Jones
The new CEO Mark Thurston has left CH2M and will not be working on, Crossrail, the Olympic Delivery Authority or any other projects on behalf of CH2M. He will solely be working for HS2 Ltd.
Asked by: Robert Flello (Labour - Stoke-on-Trent South)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will take steps to ensure that future franchises which incorporate reforms to the structure of the railways integrating Network Rail will incentivise new freight terminals and services.
Answered by Paul Maynard
Rail Freight is a crucial part of our rail network. We published a Rail Freight Strategy in September 2016 which reaffirms our commitment to the rail freight industry and explains how we will work to advance its interests.
The Strategy commits to ensuring that the Government, in developing its strategy for new franchise competitions, will consider how rail freight can be more systemically considered in this process.
We want to ensure any proposals for rail reform work for everyone on the network, and we will be engaging with stakeholders as any new proposals develop.
Alongside this, progress has already been made with Network Rail creating a virtual freight and national passenger operator route to ensure the interests of freight operators are represented.
Asked by: Robert Flello (Labour - Stoke-on-Trent South)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, with reference to the Written Ministerial Statement of 6 December 2016, HCWS 322, Rail update, what discussions he has had with the Rail Delivery Group on his proposals to change the operation of Network Rail.
Answered by Paul Maynard
We engage with the Rail Delivery Group (RDG) on a regular basis to inform our thinking on a range on matters. We will work closely with stakeholders across industry, including the RDG, as we develop these specific proposals.
Asked by: Robert Flello (Labour - Stoke-on-Trent South)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, with reference to the Written Ministerial Statement of 6 December 2016, HCWS 322, Rail update, what assessment he has made of the effect of the proposals in that Statement.
Answered by Paul Maynard
We follow the standard business case process to inform proposals and ensure value for money.