HS2 plans to replicate Crossrail in setting up international consultancy

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Sir Terry Morgan, a key note speaker at the Rail Forum Midlands' annual conference. Photo: Rail Forum Midlands.
Sir Terry Morgan, a key note speaker at the Rail Forum Midlands' annual conference. Photo: Rail Forum Midlands.
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Newly appointed HS2 chairman Sir Terry Morgan has told suppliers that he plans to replicate the success of Crossrail International.

The consultancy – of which Sir Terry still chairs – was established in September 2017 to leverage the successes of Crossrail and promote UK engineering expertise on the world stage.

Speaking to members of the Rail Forum Midlands at its annual conference, the former Crossrail chairman said Crossrail International has already helped businesses to secure contracts in Canada, Australia, New Zealand and Hong Kong.

Sir Terry Morgan, a key note speaker at the Rail Forum Midlands' annual conference. Photo: Rail Forum Midlands.

Professional service firm and Crossrail contractor Turner & Townsend has gone so far as to say that it wouldn’t have secured a significant contract in Australia without using the Crossrail brand, according to Sir Terry.

He said: “I’m not looking for Crossrail in itself to be winning big new contracts, I’m looking to leverage the brand called Crossrail to enable contractors who have been bidding into the programme to win more business.

“I want to replicate that very thing into HS2. We haven’t got a brand yet – you don’t sell something until you’ve got something to put on the table – but we will have, and my intention is to try and ensure we take every possible opportunity.”


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