FirstGroup HR director John Evans has been appointed as the chief executive of the UK’s National College for High Speed Rail (NCHSR).
Evans, whose 25-year career has involved stints with the Strathclyde Police, Diageo and British Airways, will be responsible for developing the college’s curriculum and overall design.
Chair of the college board Terry Morgan said: “John represents a hugely important addition to the National College for High Speed Rail and I’m extremely pleased to welcome him to the team.
“His commitment and passion for people development will be vital as we move closer to opening the college in two years’ time.
“The National College for High Speed Rail has a unique opportunity to ensure that the skills needed to support the delivery of HS2 are in place and able to respond to other infrastructure projects in future.”
Construction of Doncaster’s 7,200 square metre centre is expected to begin in April 2016, ready to welcome its first students in September 2017.
A planning application has been submitted to the Birmingham City Council for the West Midlands campus. A decision is due in March next year with construction due to begin around the same time as Doncaster.
John Evans said: “I am delighted to be joining the college at an exciting and pivotal point in its development. The opportunity to be involved in shaping the college is a huge professional and personal incentive for me.
“I am passionate about the development of young engineering and other talent and I believe it to be critical to building the UK’s future workforce. I am really looking forward to playing a key role in developing the college which will contribute hugely to the delivery of HS2.”
