HS2 appoints AECOM’s Richard Robinson as chief operating officer

HS2 has recruited AECOM’s chief executive of civil infrastructure Richard Robinson as its new chief operating officer. Robinson, who currently leads AECOM’s civil infrastructure in Europe, the Middle East, India and Africa, will join HS2 in the autumn after four years with AECOM.

Prior to joining AECOM, Robinson held senior roles at Heathrow Express and the mining company Anglo American. At HS2 he will support chief executive Mark Thurston in delivering Europe’s largest infrastructure project. Commenting on the appointment, Thurston, said: “I am delighted to welcome Richard to the team at HS2. He joins us at an exciting time and brings wide-ranging experience of complex infrastructure projects and extensive management skills. Richard’s appointment will enhance our leadership team at this important time, as the project picks up pace and we begin to deliver lasting economic benefits across the UK.”

In his time at AECOM, Robinson led the growth of the civil infrastructure business, first as managing director and then chief executive, leading 8,000 people across four regions and a range of infrastructure projects. Commenting on his new appointment, Robinson, said: “I am thrilled to be joining the team at HS2 Ltd. Working on Europe’s largest infrastructure programme is an exciting prospect and I look forward to playing my part in a project that will leave a significant legacy here in the UK.”

HS2 has also announced that Michael Bradley is joining the company as chief financial officer. Bradley arrives from Defence Equipment and Support (DE&S), an arms-length body of the Ministry of Defence, where he is CFO and director general resources, and has been acting chief executive since December 2017.

At HS2 Ltd, Bradley will lead the finance team, corporate sponsorship and the programme management office. Commenting on his new role, Bradley, said: “I am looking forward to joining the team at HS2 Ltd. This is a fantastic project, that will deliver significant benefits, and I am excited to be a part of it.”

The new arrivals will join former Crossrail chairman Sir Terry Morgan who takes over as chairman of HS2 next month, replacing Sir David Higgins, who steps down after four years. Former Crossrail chief executive Andrew Wolstenholme has also joined HS2 as a non-executive director and Highways England’s David Poole has been recruited as procurement and supply director, with Crossrail’s Elizabeth Gilbe brought in as the organisation’s new finance director.