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High Speed Two Reviews
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Full-timePart-timeApprove of CEO
Mark Thurston
22 Ratings
Pros
"This is the largest infrastructure project in Europe and our teams comprise experts from many different countries" (in 11 reviews)
"Also, 'The largest engineering project in Europe' carries a lot weight in getting into rooms with world class suppliers and 3rd parties" (in 5 reviews)
Cons
"Communication from Senior Management" (in 5 reviews)
"Too much red tape to do anything autonomously" (in 3 reviews)
![High Speed Two Logo]()
"Great place to work!"
StarStarStarStarStar- Work/Life Balance
- Culture & Values
- Career Opportunities
- Comp & Benefits
- Senior Management
RecommendsPositive OutlookApproves of CEOPros
I was lucky with the managers I had and the team around me but I loved my time at HS2 and developed enormously. Senior leaders were approachable and friendly and there was a flat working hierarchy which enabled development
Cons
Working with government department's can be tricky when elections change priorities but that is both a challenge and something that keeps the role interesting. Embrace change!
High Speed Two 2018-01-16 04:26 PSTHelpful (4)
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"Disappointing place to work"
StarStarStarStarStar- Work/Life Balance
- Culture & Values
- Career Opportunities
- Comp & Benefits
- Senior Management
Doesn't RecommendNeutral OutlookApproves of CEOI have been working at High Speed Two full-time
Pros
A great project with a good CEO & some very talented people, an inspiring design vision for the future of rail travel in most of the UK (hopefully it will eventually spread to Scotland & Wales).
Cons
A disempowering culture to work in, despite its promise. Staff turnover is higher than expected. Company values are not authenticity practiced by Senior Leaders.
Advice to Management
Lots of scope for improvement in organisational culture. Needs an embedded people plan & more effective push on company values & improved measurement & response on staff surveys.
High Speed Two 2018-10-17 06:30 PDTHelpful (5)
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"Poor Leadership and Bullying"
StarStarStarStarStar- Work/Life Balance
- Culture & Values
- Career Opportunities
- Comp & Benefits
- Senior Management
Doesn't RecommendDisapproves of CEOI have been working at High Speed Two full-time (More than 3 years)
Pros
Flex working and good benefits
Cons
Leadership is aggressive and bullying is rife. And from what I hear there is a huge pay gap between the Leadership and their staff which is hopeless for morale.
Advice to Management
Stop employing agressive directors and bring in talented leaders instead. Reduce the massive pay gap. Get on top of the bullying. And leadership to set an example and live by the HS2 values.
High Speed Two 2018-10-23 13:34 PDTHelpful (10)
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"Chaotic and depressing"
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 (More than a year)
Pros
Flexible working hours, working from home helps avoid the bullying culture.
Cons
Poor senior management
Nepotism
Bullying culture
Huge pay discrepancy- Heads of department are on a minimum of £112k
No process
HR does not exist, and don’t help with bullying issues.
No attention is paid to company values.Advice to Management
Get a proper HR department.
Stop the nepotism.
Get rid of all the corporate affairs/internal comms type.
Have a bullying and harassment helpline.
Pay attention to company values - integrity, safety and respect are currently ignored.High Speed Two 2018-10-18 11:38 PDTHelpful (10)
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"All the good people have left, absolutely no leadership from management"
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 (More than a year)
Pros
Met some great people during my time working here
Flexible working - although this depends on which team you're on
Good office space / locationCons
Poor management - lacking leadership, direction, and everything in between
Low staff morale - due to constant organisation re-structures and severe lack of opportunities of progression
Contractors run the show, permanent staff are left to fend for themselvesAdvice to Management
Ratio of senior management and entry level/professional staff needs a major shake up. This is an ongoing project lasting for decades. We need fresh, innovative talent. Not middle aged men hanging onto their high salaries, stopping anyone hoping to progress. There needs to be major change for HS2, the cracks are well and truly showing. Such a shame, because with the right outlook and focus, this could be one of the most exciting projects to work on in the UK
High Speed Two 2018-08-16 10:03 PDTHelpful (4)
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"Life @"
StarStarStarStarStarI have been working at High Speed Two full-time
Pros
Nice building at Canary Wharf
Cons
High dissatisfaction amongst staff - v depressing
High Speed Two 2018-09-10 08:12 PDTHelpful (1)
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"Poor leadership clouds an otherwise enjoyable place to work"
StarStarStarStarStar- Work/Life Balance
- Culture & Values
- Career Opportunities
- Comp & Benefits
- Senior Management
RecommendsNeutral OutlookApproves of CEOPros
An ambitious project with good people
Cons
Staff have suffered due to a series of organisational changes and a distinct 'Network Rail' culture
Advice to Management
Remove those at the top who do not represent the company's values
High Speed Two 2018-06-29 06:38 PDT![High Speed Two Logo]()
"Very exciting project. Lots of new and challenging work."
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
As a constantly evolving scheme, the work is challenging, exciting, and varied. There is the potential to make real progress and impact key decisions. Plus, it pays very well in comparison to equivalent positions with an excellent work life balance. The people are really great and most have a real belief in the project.
Cons
Can often feel a bit disorganised with changes in organisational structure, office moves, and the like talking it's toll on morale. As a construction lead project, frequently it is easy to feel sidelined if you're not sat within Phase One Construction. Additionally there needs to be more thought when hiring people with valuable skills as it often becomes a default to move work over to consultants as many employees are not able to fulfil their duties.
Advice to Management
Be more transparent with employees and communicate down.
High Speed Two 2018-06-23 04:50 PDT![High Speed Two Logo]()
"Middle Management"
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
Good working environment, new build and fully equipped offices, with up to date meeting room provisions
Cons
Lacking organisational culture, think this will improve over time, as reasonably new organisation.
High Speed Two 2018-05-05 04:44 PDTHelpful (1)
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"Ups and downs"
StarStarStarStarStar- Work/Life Balance
- Culture & Values
- Career Opportunities
- Comp & Benefits
- Senior Management
RecommendsNeutral OutlookApproves of CEOI have been working at High Speed Two full-time (More than 3 years)
Pros
Great team on a delivery level, great social aspects, building a really complex train network.
We have the opportunity to make something great.Cons
Poor system decision making has lead to system integration not supporting staff to be as efficient as we can be. Reporting of complex data is being requested far too early to meet superficial deadlines.
Become less “corporate” and become more agile. It takes far too long to make important decisions, and once they are made it’s too late.Advice to Management
Report after the final reports are generated, directly from the supplychain. Implement joined up systems.
High Speed Two 2018-04-01 02:21 PDT
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