Higgins before TSC on 14th October

This from the Transport Select Committee...

Oral evidence SESSION – Work of Network Rail
Sir David Higgins, chief executive of Network Rail, has been called to appear before the Transport Committee.
Chair of the Committee, Louise Ellman MP, has said:

“We have a wide range of issues to raise with Sir David Higgins including Network Rail’s problems in meeting its performance targets; the funding settlement for the next 5-year control period; and the work of the Rail Delivery Group, of which Sir David is deputy chair. We will also want to ask about how Sir David intends to tackle his important new role as chair of HS2 Ltd”.

Monday 14 October 2013

Witness:

4.15 pm
· Sir David Higgins, Chief Executive, Network Rail

FURTHER INFORMATION:

Committee Membership is as follows:

Mrs Louise Ellman (Labour/Co-operative, Liverpool Riverside) (Chair); Sarah Champion (Labour, Rotherham); Jim Dobbin (Labour/Co-operative, Heywood and Middleton); Karen Lumley (Conservative, Redditch); Jason McCartney (Conservative, Colne Valley); Karl McCartney (Conservative, Lincoln); Lucy Powell (Labour/Co-operative, Manchester Central); Adrian Sanders (Lib Dem, Torbay); Iain Stewart (Conservative, Milton Keynes South); Graham Stringer (Labour, Blackley and Broughton); Martin Vickers (Conservative, Cleethorpes).

ENDS

Higgins to HS2 - Reactions

So farewell to both Doug and Clinton Leeks.

Today's announcement is perhaps a tacit admission that HS2 was losing both the PR battle and political consensus.

Happily, David Higgins appointment appears to be playing well...

Sir David Higgins to become new chair of HS2. A huge boost to HS2. Brilliant infra manager - Olympics, Network Rail, etc
— Andrew Adonis (@Andrew_Adonis) September 25, 2013

David Higgins will give HS2 the experienced leadership this vital project needs. Labour will bring Network Rail and HS2 together in 2015.
— Labour Transport (@labourtransport) September 25, 2013

Great news that former CEO of the Olympics Delivery Authority and @NetworkRail David Higgins is to become new chairman of HS2
— Danny Alexander (@dannyalexander) September 25, 2013

Huge statement of intent by #HS2 appointing Sir David Higgins
— Tom Edwards (@BBCTomEdwards) September 25, 2013

Congratulations to David Higgins on his appointment to HS2, a vital project for rail freight growth.
— Rail Freight Group (@RailFreightUK) September 25, 2013

Good to see David Higgins join HS2 After Doug O's great work to get it rolling, he's the man to get the project built http://t.co/crbb0ZRcZ5
— Antony Oliver NCE (@antonyolivernce) September 25, 2013

Even Mr Grumble knows it's the right answer...

No surprise that David Higgins is joining #HS2 but it is the politics, not the engineering or finance, that will determine its future
— Christian Wolmar (@christianwolmar) September 25, 2013

And this from the East Midlands mafia, better known as the Derby and Derbyshire Rail Forum...

"David Higgins has achieved great things at Network Rail, he has transformed the organisation into one that listens to its customers and the communities it serves. His experience as CEO of the Olympic Delivery Authority means he also has first-hand experience in delivering complicated, high value and politically sensitive projects both on time and to budget.

"We look forward to David taking the reins at HS2 and are confident that he will create a transparent and engaged organisation that will deliver the new North-South railway that this country so desperately needs."
 
Very good. Carry on.

Higgins to HS2 - the fight back begins!

This from HS2 and Network Rail...

NEW CHAIR OF HS2 ANNOUNCED

Doug Oakervee has announced today that he will be standing down as Chairman of HS2 Ltd at the end of the year.

His successor has been announced as current Network Rail Chief Executive Sir David Higgins, who will join HS2 Ltd on 1st January 2014 on a part time basis before taking up the post full time from March.

Doug Oakervee a distinguished civil engineer and former Chairman of Crossrail Ltd took up the post of HS2 Ltd Chairman in April 2012. He has overseen the development of the detailed proposals for the new High Speed 2 line and laid a firm foundation for the delivery of the largest rail project seen in the UK in more than 100 years.

Secretary of State for Transport Patrick McLoughlin said:

“The fantastic work that Doug Oakervee has delivered as Chairman of HS2 Ltd is testament to the experience and expertise that he brought to this role.

“His energy and professionalism have ensured that the detailed proposals for Phase 1 of the country’s first high speed line north of London will be introduced to Parliament on schedule later this year.

“The appointment of Sir David Higgins to replace Doug Oakervee ensures that we will continue to have leaders at the heart of HS2 who have a track record of delivery. His experience at both Network Rail and as Chief Executive of the Olympic Delivery Authority – where he oversaw construction of the magnificent Olympic Park, a legacy which will be enjoyed by generations - will be essential to ensure we deliver HS2 on time and on budget.”

Mr Oakervee will remain in post to oversee the introduction of the Government’s Hybrid Bill before the end of this year. The Bill will secure Parliamentary approval for Phase 1 of the 350 mile route between London and Birmingham, allowing work to start in 2017 and freeing-up essential capacity for passengers and freight across the rail network.

HS2 Ltd Chairman Doug Oakervee said:

“I believe HS2 is vital to the growth of the UK economy and will deliver the capacity our rail network sorely needs. Sir David is the right man to continue the delivery of this project. I am delighted at his appointment and am confident that alongside Alison Munro our Chief Executive he will continue to drive the scheme forward.

“I am proud of all that I have achieved, particularly that we will be bringing the Hybrid Bill to Parliament by the end of the year, after which I will be standing down. I am pleased to have been able to play a key role in delivering this project which will serve the country for many generations to come.”
 
Chief Executive of Network Rail Sir David Higgins said:
 
“I am delighted to be taking up this role. Working at Network Rail I know the challenge we have ahead with capacity on the railways – they are real and we need to take action now.  I also know the significant benefits that improved journey times between our northern cities will bring not just to the north, but the UK economy as a whole.

“HS2 is the right solution.  It is vital for both passengers and the economy and will put the UK in a different league in terms of infrastructure. My first priority will be to rigorously scrutinise costs to ensure they remain under control.
 “HS2 presents a strategic opportunity for this country and I am determined to make sure we take it by delivering a railway that will allow business and communities to prosper in the long term.”

Chief Executive of HS2 Ltd Alison Munro said:

"Doug Oakervee has been an inspirational Chairman who brought industry knowledge and a proven track record of delivering large, complex rail projects to his tenure at HS2 Ltd.

"In David Higgins HS2 Ltd has secured a proven leader with drive, passion and experience.

"Our new Chairman will bring with him a fantastic track record of delivery thanks to the success of the London Olympic Games.  My team and I look forward to working with him as we move into the next chapter of delivering this vital project."

ENDS

About time and quite right too!

Higgins keeps his word - Shocker!

Much amusement in the industry over today's coverage of David Higgins decision 'to resign'!

Take this, from the usually well informed David Millward in Her Majesty's Daily Telegraph.... 

The decision to resign, which was broken by Sky News, came within days of a fresh row erupting over the bonus package offered to Sir David and four other senior executives at the helm of the company responsible for the country’s train and track infrastructure.

However according to Network Rail, Sir David, 58, has chosen to leave his post to allow his successor to steer through a five year investment package worth more than £35 billion.

“David always made it clear that he didn’t plan to stay on until 2019,” a Network Rail source said. 

Errrr... quite so.

So if Higgins had always made clear that he didn't plan to stay on for CP5 (which he did, even within earshot of the lowly Fact Compiler) then what is the story?

Of course there is a much more interesting tale lurking beneath these lazy headlines: Will the next CEO of Network Rail be an engineer?

Meanwhile, back in the silly season, our next Monarch but two (DV) will be His Majesty King George.

Sire, please could you fix it for Eye to have sloppy journalists' heads lopped off. Ta.

NR - Open, transparent, accountable, responsive?

David Higgins starts as Network Rail's new CEO today.


This from the man himself...

“l also want people to associate these words with Network Rail: Open. Transparent. Accountable. Responsive."

Bless.

A big Eye welcome to Huggable Higgins!

Network Rail misplaces new chief exec?

Exciting news from Transport Times Events!

TTE is led by the well connected transport guru Professor David Begg, a man with his fingers firmly on the industry's pulse !

So an event in January asking "Is the North missing out on Transport?" should be packed to the rafters with heavy weights.

According to a TTE email and their website the following are 'Confirmed Speakers'

• Rt Hon Philip Hammond, Secretary of State for Transport
• Cllr Richard Leese, Leader, Manchester City Council
• Richard Eccles, Chief Executive, Network Rail
• Julie Mills, Director, Greengauge 21
• Adam Marshall, Director of Policy, British Chamber of Commerce
• Prof Michael Parkinson, Director, European Institute of Urban Affairs, Liverpool John Moores University
• Alexandra Jones, Chief Executive, Centre for Cities

Let Eye be the first to congratulate Richard Eccles on his promotion.

Presumably David Higgins has been told?

ODA invites tenders for Javelettes

Is David Higgins attempting to ingratiate himself with the railway before he moves to Network Rail?

This from an Invitation to Tender released by his current employer the Olympic Delivery Authority:

The ODA is seeking expressions of interest for the supply, management and operation of a number of sets of locomotives and coaches for use during the 2012 Olympic Games. The trains will provide late night additional capacity (as required) from any or all of the following London terminals: Euston, Kings Cross, Paddington and St. Pancras.

Perhaps he'll even consider waiving track access charges for these Javelettes in his new role?