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High Speed Two Reviews
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    High Speed Two Reviews

    Updated 16 October 2017
    46 reviews

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    3.5
    StarStarStarStarStar
    Rating TrendsRating Trends
    Recommend to a friend
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    Mark Thurston
    8 Ratings

    46 Employee Reviews

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    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 6 reviews)

    Cons

    • Constant change, overreliance on contractors who are not managed, uncertainty over exact roles and unclear expectations from senior management (in 4 reviews)

    • and with no audit trail no one will be held accountable (in 3 reviews)

    More Pros and Cons
    1. Featured Review

      Helpful (2)

      "Groundbreaking programme that will revolutionise travel experience"

      StarStarStarStarStar
      • Work/Life Balance
      • Culture & Values
      • Career Opportunities
      • Comp & Benefits
      • Senior Management
      Current Employee - Director of Railway Operations in Birmingham, England
      Current Employee - Director of Railway Operations in Birmingham, England
      Recommends
      Positive Outlook
      Approves of CEO

      I 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

    2. "Great project but..short term thinking"

      StarStarStarStarStar
      • Work/Life Balance
      • Culture & Values
      • Career Opportunities
      • Comp & Benefits
      • Senior Management
      Former Employee - Engagement Manager
      Former Employee - Engagement Manager
      Recommends
      Positive Outlook
      No opinion of CEO

      I worked at High Speed Two full-time (More than a year)

      Pros

      Exciting, high profile project
      Diverse workforce
      Committed people

      Cons

      Stressful at times due to lack of certainty and controversial nature of project
      Lack of structured career development

      Advice to Management

      I left because promise of career development never materialised- do more to support, keep and nurture talent

    3. "Anon - Commercial"

      StarStarStarStarStar
      • Work/Life Balance
      • Culture & Values
      • Career Opportunities
      • Comp & Benefits
      • Senior Management
      Current Employee - Anonymous Employee
      Current Employee - Anonymous Employee
      Recommends
      Positive Outlook
      No opinion of CEO

      I have been working at High Speed Two full-time (More than a year)

      Pros

      Great project, true opportunity to contribute to lasting change
      Great people with hard work ethics
      Positive impact on education and work opportunities in the Midlands
      Echo much of the previous comments much more than just a railway

      Cons

      Lack of stability, direction or decision making in/at senior and exec management level... In some cases a revolving door.
      The governance - understandable for public purse project but overly convoluted even steps to simplify are turned into management science by committee.
      Bring that together and it creates chronic paralyse which demoralises and devalues some brilliant expertise and people.

      Advice to Management

      Make some decisions with conviction
      Communicate and engage with your teams.
      Stop living milestone to milestone
      Stop acting out a extended episode of W1A

      4. Is this helpful? The community relies on everyone sharing – Add Anonymous Review

    4. "Full of anti semitic lefties"

      StarStarStarStarStar
      • Work/Life Balance
      • Culture & Values
      • Career Opportunities
      • Comp & Benefits
      • Senior Management
      Former Employee - Anonymous Employee
      Former Employee - Anonymous Employee
      Doesn't Recommend
      Negative Outlook
      Disapproves of CEO

      I worked at High Speed Two full-time (More than a year)

      Pros

      Nice offices funded by taxpayers. You get to go home.

      Cons

      Bullying ineffective management. Overbloated bureaucracy. Hr not fit for the purpose

      Advice to Management

      Anti semitism is a criminal offence

    5. Helpful (1)

      "An exciting opportunity to be part of a leading infrastructure project."

      StarStarStarStarStar
      • Work/Life Balance
      • Culture & Values
      • Career Opportunities
      • Comp & Benefits
      • Senior Management
      Current Employee - Construction in Birmingham, England
      Current Employee - Construction in Birmingham, England
      Recommends
      Positive Outlook
      Approves of CEO

      I have been working at High Speed Two full-time (More than a year)

      Pros

      This is the largest infrastructure project in Europe and our teams comprise experts from many different countries.
      The pace is fast and our approach is maturing as a project-leading and industry transforming organisation.
      Focussed training on assurance, behaviours and 'Doug the right thing' has been cascaded and is now embedding within the Construction Directorate.

      Cons

      Some find emerging culture presents uncertainty that they cannot cope with and so they criticise instead of taking the opportunity to influence things for the better.
      HS2 has rapidly expanded in organisational size while, due to the nature of putting bills through Parliament followed by procurement and construction, the nature of the business has changed. Perhaps the impact on staff could have been more carefully planned to avoid repeated restructure.
      This is a massive project and so influential leaders are involved in all stages. Perhaps more focus could be placed in building on the knowledge and experience from each area of the business.

      Advice to Management

      Please ensure that HS2 has an efficient, non-bureaucratic structure from the top down so that responsibility is passed to a practical level to enable efficient construction and future operational management.

    6. "All change!"

      StarStarStarStarStar
      • Work/Life Balance
      • Culture & Values
      • Career Opportunities
      • Comp & Benefits
      • Senior Management
      Current Employee - Engagement Manager in Birmingham, England
      Current Employee - Engagement Manager in Birmingham, England
      Recommends
      Positive Outlook
      Approves of CEO

      I 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

    7. Helpful (1)

      "My experience of working at HS2"

      StarStarStarStarStar
      • Work/Life Balance
      • Culture & Values
      • Career Opportunities
      • Comp & Benefits
      • Senior Management
      Current Employee - Anonymous Employee in Birmingham, England
      Current Employee - Anonymous Employee in Birmingham, England
      Recommends
      Positive Outlook
      No opinion of CEO

      I 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.

    8. Helpful (1)

      "Culture"

      StarStarStarStarStar
      • Work/Life Balance
      • Culture & Values
      • Career Opportunities
      • Comp & Benefits
      • Senior Management
      Former Employee - Anonymous Employee
      Former Employee - Anonymous Employee
      Doesn't Recommend
      Neutral Outlook
      Disapproves of CEO

      I 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

    9. Helpful (4)

      "Appalling HR"

      StarStarStarStarStar
      • Work/Life Balance
      • Culture & Values
      • Career Opportunities
      • Comp & Benefits
      • Senior Management
      Current Employee - Engineer in London, England
      Current Employee - Engineer in London, England
      Doesn't Recommend
      Negative Outlook
      Approves of CEO

      I 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.

    10. Helpful (3)

      "Frustrating!"

      StarStarStarStarStar
      • Work/Life Balance
      • Culture & Values
      • Career Opportunities
      • Comp & Benefits
      • Senior Management
      Former Employee - Anonymous Employee in Birmingham, England
      Former Employee - Anonymous Employee in Birmingham, England
      Recommends
      Neutral Outlook
      Approves of CEO

      I 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.

    Showing 46 of 52 reviews
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