HS2 Project Reset: UK High-Speed Line Gets New CEO, New Hope

LONDON, UK – HS2 Ltd has initiated a comprehensive project reset under new CEO Mark Wild, installing a new executive team and a specialist taskforce to establish a final, reliable baseline for the high-speed railway’s cost and schedule. Citing the successful recovery of London’s Elizabeth line, the organisation has declared that the forthcoming estimates, due next year, will be definitive and “must be met,” marking a pivotal effort to break the project’s cycle of delays and cost overruns.

Following his first three months in post, HS2 Ltd CEO Mark Wild has launched a fundamental reset of the UK’s flagship infrastructure project, aiming to establish firm control over its escalating costs and timelines. A specialist taskforce, mirroring the model Wild successfully deployed to bring the troubled Crossrail project into service as the Elizabeth line, was assembled in spring 2025 to spearhead this effort. The reset has been reinforced with a significant leadership overhaul; Ruth Dunphy has joined as Chief Transformation Officer to build a “leaner, performance-driven organisation,” while Morag Stuart, formerly of the NHS New Hospital Programme, will join as Chief Commercial Officer in January to redefine procurement and contractor relationships for better taxpayer value.

The new leadership is confident that its rigorous, multi-faceted approach will produce a credible and final baseline. The methodology for developing the new cost and schedule ranges is based on five years of construction data and incorporates several proven assessment techniques. These include statistical risk analysis, detailed scenario planning, and comparative forecasting against similar global infrastructure projects. To ensure robustness and transparency, the process is subject to independent expert verification and is being developed in close collaboration with the UK’s Department for Transport (DfT). This data-driven strategy is designed to end the cycle of revised estimates that has historically plagued the project.

This strategic reset is underpinned by tangible construction progress on the ground, which leadership cites as evidence of a renewed focus on productivity and delivery. Throughout 2025, HS2’s joint venture partners successfully met all six construction milestones set for them, culminating in a significant achievement: the completion of all 46 miles of twin-bore tunnelling on the initial operating section between Old Oak Common in London and Birmingham Curzon Street. With complex structures like the Colne Valley Viaduct (the UK’s longest bridge) and the Chiltern Tunnel now complete, the project’s focus is shifting from heavy civils to the critical rail systems installation phase, putting the project in what it calls a “strong position” heading into the new year.

Key Takeaways

• Leadership Overhaul: HS2 Ltd has appointed a new CEO, Chief Transformation Officer, and Chief Commercial Officer, alongside six new non-executive directors, to fill critical skills gaps and drive a new performance-focused culture.
• Proven Recovery Model: The project has adopted the successful methodology used to rescue the Crossrail project, applying proven risk analysis and forecasting techniques to establish a “final” cost and schedule baseline.
• Construction Momentum: All major tunnelling on the 140-mile Phase One route is now complete, and all 2025 construction milestones were met on time, providing a solid foundation for the next phase of rail systems installation.

Editor’s Analysis

This project reset is more than a procedural update; it is a high-stakes bid by HS2 Ltd to restore its credibility with the government, industry partners, and the public. By bringing in Mark Wild, whose reputation is built on the successful delivery of the Elizabeth line from a similarly precarious position, the project is making a clear statement. The emphasis on a “final” and “must be met” baseline draws a line in the sand, moving accountability from a rolling forecast to a fixed target. For the global rail market, the success or failure of this reset will be a defining case study in mega-project governance and recovery, demonstrating whether a project of this scale and complexity can be brought back from the brink through sheer force of leadership, methodology, and a relentless focus on delivery.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is leading the HS2 project reset?

The reset is being led by new CEO Mark Wild OBE, who previously led the successful turnaround of the Crossrail project. He is supported by a new executive team, including Chief Transformation Officer Ruth Dunphy and Chief Commercial Officer Morag Stuart.

What is the new approach to estimating HS2’s costs and schedule?

The new approach uses a proven methodology from the Crossrail recovery. It combines five years of construction data with statistical risk analysis, scenario planning, and comparisons with similar global projects, all subject to independent expert verification.

What recent construction progress has HS2 made?

HS2 has completed all 46 miles of twin-bore tunnelling on the Phase One route between Old Oak Common and Birmingham Curzon Street. All six of its major construction milestones for 2025 were also completed on time.