Sigma boss becomes HS2 adviser
Duncan Sutherland, executive chairman of Sigma Inpartnership, a local asset-backed vehicle specialist, has been appointed as non-executive director to the board of HS2, the company set up to deliver the high speed rail network between London and the North.
Sigma Inpartnership has two joint ventures with local authorities in the North West. The Higher Broughton Partnership is a limited partnership formed in 2004 between Salford City Council, Royal Bank of Scotland and Sigma InPartnership, and is eight years into a 12-year major mixed-use development.
Regeneration Liverpool is a limited liability partnership established in March 2007 between Sigma Inpartnership and Liverpool City Council to deliver a £200m development programme over 10 years.
Sutherland said: "I am very happy to be joining the board of HS2. This is a fantastic opportunity in what is one of the most exciting projects in Europe and essential for the economy of the country and particularly the North West.
"I will work to ensure that the regenerative benefits, and opportunities for long term, large scale development, are maximised across the high speed network."
Sutherland was appointed to the project for three years and takes up the post immediately. He is also appointed by Scottish Ministers as a non-executive director of the Scottish Canals Board.
Vested business interests again try to talk up an eye-wateringly expensive scheme with a bcr of only 0.2, i.e. 80p of every £1 invested is squandered. The alternative to HS2 leaves trains less crowded, costs far less, brings jobs and growth to the North more quickly and returns over £5 for every £1 invested.
By Jerry Marshall