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High Speed Two Reviews
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    High Speed Two Reviews

    Updated 29 June 2018
    60 reviews

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    3.4
    StarStarStarStarStar
    Rating TrendsRating Trends
    Recommend to a friend
    Approve of CEO
    High Speed Two CEO Mark Thurston
    Mark Thurston
    18 Ratings

    60 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 5 reviews)

    Cons

    • "Communication 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. "Great place to work!"

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

      Pros

      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!

    2. "Very exciting project. Lots of new and challenging work."

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

      I 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.

      3. Join the High Speed Two team
      See Our Latest Jobs

    3. "Poor leadership clouds an otherwise enjoyable place to work"

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

      Pros

      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

    4. "Middle Management"

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

      I 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.

    5. "Ups and downs"

      StarStarStarStarStar
      • Work/Life Balance
      • Culture & Values
      • Career Opportunities
      • Comp & Benefits
      • Senior Management
      Current Employee - Project Controls in London, England
      Current Employee - Project Controls in London, England
      Recommends
      Neutral Outlook
      Approves of CEO

      I 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.

    6. Helpful (2)

      "Nice people, bad management, a complete mess"

      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

      Pros

      A big, exciting project that is genuinely needed.
      It has attracted lots of good people, willing to go the extra mile.

      Cons

      HS2 claims to go around the world to find the best talent, and always comes back with the middle aged dregs of the rail and consulting industry. Old lags employ their mates, and bad cultures from older organisations are imported.

      Advice to Management

      Replace the top two layers with innovators, people who understand how to develop a culture of accountability and excellence.

    7. Helpful (2)

      "Acquisition"

      StarStarStarStarStar
      • Work/Life Balance
      • Culture & Values
      • Career Opportunities
      • Comp & Benefits
      • Senior Management
      Current Employee - Anonymous Employee
      Current Employee - Anonymous Employee
      Doesn't Recommend
      Positive Outlook
      No opinion of CEO

      I have been working at High Speed Two full-time

      Pros

      Exciting project to be on that is well respected externally. Good chance to stay in they job for some time given scale of the project

      Cons

      Too much red tape to do anything autonomously. Feel like I am a secretary processing governance documents for senior management

    8. Helpful (2)

      "Excellent and challening environment"

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

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

      Pros

      Great team ethic with staff having a diverse range of experience and knowledge
      Good training and development opportunities
      Lots to learn in an ever changing environment

      Cons

      Limited resource for the large amount of work required

      Advice to Management

      Given the workload, prioritisation is required and everyone must understand this (even internally)

    9. "Great place to work"

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

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

      Pros

      Great sense of achievement in the role
      Excellent team morale who all have a great work ethic
      Collaborate working environment
      Central location with great local amenities
      Good remuneration package
      Managers who are visible are supportive and approachable

      Cons

      Teams can sometimes work in silos
      A lot of governance and paperwork although this is understandable given the need to manage public money
      Although additional working hours are not mandatory, it is up to individuals to manage their workload appropriately and can sometimes can involve out of hours working

      Advice to Management

      Ensure continued support of staff at senior management level in pressurised situations

    10. Helpful (4)

      "Avoid"

      StarStarStarStarStar
      • Work/Life Balance
      • Culture & Values
      • Career Opportunities
      • Comp & Benefits
      • Senior Management
      Former Employee - Senior Manager in London, England
      Former Employee - Senior Manager in London, England
      Doesn't Recommend
      Negative Outlook
      No opinion of CEO

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

      Pros

      Really there is little to commend.

      Cons

      The most Machiavellian place I have ever had the misfortune to work. I really would advise avoiding at all costs.

      Advice to Management

      Start with the basics. Walk before you try to run. It feels like the completion date is driving the project ignoring the capability to get you there.

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