The former boss of HS2 Limited, Mark Thurston, is taking up a new job as chief executive officer (CEO) at Anglian Water.
Thurston will join the major UK water company on 1 July and be appointed to the board on 5 August, succeeding Peter Simpson as group CEO.
Thurston led Europe’s largest infrastructure project (HS2) for six-and-a-half-years before stepping down from the job in September last year, when former HS2 chairman, Sir Jon Thompson, took up leadership of the project.
More than 3,000 UK businesses are thought to be in HS2’s supply chain and about 60 per cent of contracts have been awarded to SMEs.
Before HS2, Thurston was in leadership roles for engineering company CH2M, Crossrail and the London 2012 Olympics.
He will now steer the water company through negotiations with industry regulator Ofwat.
Thurston said: “It is a privilege to join Anglian Water at this crucial point when the business will be delivering some of the biggest infrastructure enhancements in the UK water industry.
“My focus will be on making sure the business is set up for success for the long term and I look forward to engaging with customers, colleagues, regional stakeholders, government, regulators and our shareholders to deliver on our objectives.”
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