RCEA Annual Conference – HS2 - Taking the project forward

David Coles

David Coles is chief engineer at the UK Department for Transport, having joined its High Speed 2 Rail Group in 2016 as sponsor for all the railway systems.

He leads technical and operational advice on major infrastructure projects, focusing on cost, value, risk and innovation.

He previously oversaw the infrastructure carbon reduction programme supporting Net Zero goals for construction.

David spent 13 years as engineering director in two consultancy firms, working internationally and acting as an expert witness in a major metro arbitration case.

Earlier, he managed major renewal and maintenance projects for British Rail, Railtrack and Network Rail.

He is a chartered engineer, chartered director, ICE and IoD Fellow and in 2020 graduated from Oxford Business School’s Major Projects Leadership Academy.

In 2026 David was elected a Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering 

Ian Blight

Ian is currently HS2’s Stations Technical Director, as a member of the Engineering Delivery Partner, and is also Jacob’s Global Director for High Speed Rail.

Ian commenced work on HS2 as the Head of Delivery, managing the work of the Profession Services Consultants who together with HS2, deposited the Phase 1 Bill in 2013 and then technically supported the Bill’s passage through Parliament until it’s Royal Assent in 2017. Since then, Ian has been in his current role on HS2 as the design, procurement and construction of the Phase 1 stations have progressed.

Gheorghe Nicoara

Gheorghe is a Fellow of ICE and joined HS2 team in 2020 as a Head of Track Engineering. He leads the track alignment, gauging, track system and survey team responsible for all track engineering and railway system survey across the HS2 phase 1, 2a and 2b. He is also the track subject matter expert and owner of all track and survey related standards.

Dr Alistair Hitchcock

Alistair is a Chartered Civil Engineer and Fellow of the ICE with over 20 years experience in the design and delivery of major transportation infrastructure both in the UK and Australia. He holds an Engineering Doctorate in innovative underground construction from the University of Southampton, and has worked predominantly in design consultancy at Mott MacDonald and Capita Infrastructure. He has held key leadership roles during the planning, design and implementation stages on metro, rail and high speed rail projects including Crossrail, Melbourne Metro and London Underground station upgrades.

Since 2012 Alistair has led the development of the hybrid Bill design for three sections of HS2 covering Phase 1 and Phase 2b totalling 190km of route length. He was appointed head of engineering for Phase 2 at HS2 Ltd in 2021, with responsibility for all technical and engineering aspects of the Phase 2 route.

Alistair has been involved with the ICE for over 20 years on various panels and committees including ICE Council (2012-15). He has been a Professional Reviewer since 2015 and currently co-chairs the ICE Professional Review Panel.

Alistair has been a professional reviewer since 2015. He has been actively involved with the ICE on various panels and committees, including ICE Council and co-chair of the Professional Review Panel.