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High Speed Two Reviews
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Full-timePart-timeApprove of CEO
Mark Thurston
8 Ratings
- Featured Review
Helpful (2)
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"Groundbreaking programme that will revolutionise travel experience"
StarStarStarStarStar- Work/Life Balance
- Culture & Values
- Career Opportunities
- Comp & Benefits
- Senior Management
RecommendsPositive OutlookApproves of CEOI have been working at High Speed Two full-time (More than a year)
Pros
Exciting with ability to set new standards in what a railway delivers for its customers. Teams are made up of highly capable and motivated individuals from diverse backgrounds.
Cons
As a public sector entity be prepared for the myriad of governance stages and at times very bureaucratic engagement needed both within the company and with the Department for Transport
Advice to Management
Keep up the work to build confidence not only in our delivery capability but that we can be trusted to push out the boundaries of what a railway can do for both its customers, and the nation as a whole
High Speed Two 2017-04-13 11:20 PDT Helpful (1)
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"My experience of working at HS2"
StarStarStarStarStar- Work/Life Balance
- Culture & Values
- Career Opportunities
- Comp & Benefits
- Senior Management
RecommendsPositive OutlookNo opinion of CEOI have been working at High Speed Two full-time (More than a year)
Pros
Opportunity to shape and inform thinking.
Growing organisation with a clear vision to deliver.Cons
Changing workforce means it can be difficult to know how to get things done and where internal accountability resides.
Policies and processes developing / embedding.Advice to Management
Lots of great people joining, need to harness the right expertise and build great HS2 teams. It's the people working together that will excel in delivery.
High Speed Two 2017-07-13 08:11 PDT![High Speed Two Logo]()
"All change!"
StarStarStarStarStar- Work/Life Balance
- Culture & Values
- Career Opportunities
- Comp & Benefits
- Senior Management
RecommendsPositive OutlookApproves of CEOI have been working at High Speed Two full-time (More than a year)
Pros
Fast-moving environment, nice new offices in Birmingham. Usually scope to be involved in things outside of your immediate role.
Cons
Although a fast-moving the the direction of change can be erratic and ill-thought out. There is a lot of overlap as things have grown so quickly that duplication happens and areas of responsibility aren't always clearly defined so if you need a clear remit and line management it may not be for you. Needs better social structures and support for wellbeing.
Advice to Management
Improve internal career development opportunities
High Speed Two 2017-08-02 03:07 PDT![High Speed Two Logo]()
"Culture"
StarStarStarStarStar- Work/Life Balance
- Culture & Values
- Career Opportunities
- Comp & Benefits
- Senior Management
Doesn't RecommendNeutral OutlookDisapproves of CEOI worked at High Speed Two full-time (More than a year)
Pros
From a grounds up perspective people there are hard working - and nice to be with - good place to work - if you can get on with things
Cons
The organisation is in total chaos - targets are continually changing- with a work environment which is very frustrated- Some of the senior management are nothing more than bullies with old school attitudes and approaches.
Advice to Management
Get a grip and do something about your managers attitudes
High Speed Two 2017-08-17 10:06 PDTHelpful (3)
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"Appalling HR"
StarStarStarStarStar- Work/Life Balance
- Culture & Values
- Career Opportunities
- Comp & Benefits
- Senior Management
Doesn't RecommendNegative OutlookApproves of CEOI have been working at High Speed Two full-time (More than 5 years)
Pros
Some of the best people to work with, an interesting project (not just about a railway).
Cons
Poor HR, breaking their own rules time and time again, lack of transparency in their processes.
Advice to Management
Sack the entirety of HR and hire in a professional body to manage staff and change.
High Speed Two 2017-08-04 07:05 PDTHelpful (4)
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"Shambolic and Amateur"
StarStarStarStarStar- Work/Life Balance
- Culture & Values
- Career Opportunities
- Comp & Benefits
- Senior Management
Doesn't RecommendNegative OutlookDisapproves of CEOI have been working at High Speed Two full-time (Less than a year)
Pros
HS2 is the best pay in Public Sector. There’s a 20% flex fund top up which makes pay unbeatable for Birmingham – and very generous VR (Voluntary Redundancy) if things don’t work out – all funded by Taxpayers.
Cons
Dysfunctional Finance and HR departments
Appalling internal controls and bureaucracies that add no value
Shambolic production of Annual Reports and Accounts which were qualified by the Auditors
Equality Diversity and Inclusion isn’t working
Absence of people with disabilities
Draw your own conclusions about the over representation of one particular ethnic group in HR
Snowflake generation or leftie loonies with no regard for the taxpayer.
Way too sensitive (likely to complain of comments here) and intolerant of those who speak out.Advice to Management
Tolerate and Accommodate those who speak out about your failings.
Needs Professional talent - the current set up is very Amateur indeed.High Speed Two 2017-07-31 17:06 PDTHelpful (2)
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"Frustrating!"
StarStarStarStarStar- Work/Life Balance
- Culture & Values
- Career Opportunities
- Comp & Benefits
- Senior Management
RecommendsNeutral OutlookApproves of CEOI worked at High Speed Two full-time (More than a year)
Pros
Potentially safe employment for a few years, range of experienced people, good offices, largest new infrastructure project at the present time.
Cons
Senior management not making decisions, processes too long to set up then change with no adequate warning, too many egos, lots of disjointed working and not enough working together.
Advice to Management
Try working together instead of constantly putting barriers up.
High Speed Two 2017-06-26 10:08 PDT![High Speed Two Logo]()
"A fast paced, exciting place to work with opportunity to influence the business"
StarStarStarStarStar- Work/Life Balance
- Culture & Values
- Career Opportunities
- Comp & Benefits
- Senior Management
RecommendsPositive OutlookApproves of CEOI have been working at High Speed Two full-time (More than a year)
Pros
We are preparing to deliver an unparalleled scope of construction works
Construction teams are led by enthusiastic, experienced and knowledgeable people
High level of expertise within both construction and supporting teams
Multidisciplinary working environment where stakeholder engagement, environmental matters, utility teams, rail and structural Engineering are all key in the civil Engineering phase.Cons
Not everyone can cope with systems and processes that are still emerging or with such a fast pace and changing environment.
Advice to Management
Speedily embed leadership, project manager training courses, the forthcoming behavioural competency, fair culture and other cultural setting initiatives.
High Speed Two 2017-05-11 01:21 PDTHelpful (5)
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"Undervalued and poor management"
StarStarStarStarStar- Work/Life Balance
- Culture & Values
- Career Opportunities
- Comp & Benefits
- Senior Management
Doesn't RecommendNeutral OutlookNo opinion of CEOI have been working at High Speed Two full-time
Pros
Lots of lower level staff - both technical and non-technical - wanting to make really positive contribution to a world class infrastructure project.
Cons
However, lower level staff are frustrated by the lack of strong direction and management from more senior staff. HR and management support at time of company transformation is non existent.
Advice to Management
Make HR function fit for purpose - at the moment, it is completely dysfunctional. Make it a requirement on senior managers to give regular feedback and direction to lower level staff.
High Speed Two 2017-04-28 13:44 PDTHelpful (1)
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"HS2 Commercial Manager"
StarStarStarStarStarPros
Lots of opportunity to shape the job
Cons
Lack of structure and confusing governance can make things difficult
High Speed Two 2017-04-07 01:24 PDT
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