Press release: HS2 appoints Neil Hayward as new HR director

Neil has over 20 years experience working in large and complex organisations, at the most senior levels, delivering organisational improvements. He has held a number of senior human resources (HR) positions in both the private and public sector, including BT, the Ministry of Justice and Serco Group. Most recently as Group People Director at the Post Office Neil was part of the team that restored the company to profit, under public ownership, after some years of significant losses.

HS2 chief executive, Mark Thurston, said:

I welcome Neil Hayward to HS2 Ltd and am delighted that he is to lead our HR team.

HS2’s success will come from its people, and Neil’s experience in defining and implementing change at FTSE 100 and 250 companies, and in central government will be extremely valuable as we transition from a development company to one delivering Britain’s new national high speed rail network.

Neil said:

HS2 is a transformational infrastructure project that can change the economic geography of the country. That’s a really important mission and it’s hugely exciting to be joining the company now as it moves towards the major construction stages.

I am really looking forward to being part of the team that will deliver Europe’s biggest infrastructure project which is of national significance for the UK.

Neil takes up his new position with HS2 Ltd on 13 November.