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.

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.