About Us
Chris Rayner
Steve Hoskins
Chris Rayner
Partner - Operations, Maintenance and Programme Management
Tim Smart
Steve Hoskins
Chris Rayner
Partner - Design Development and Construction
Steve Hoskins
Steve Hoskins
Steve Hoskins
Partner - Commercial Legal and Regulation
About Us - Bio's
Chris Rayner
Having started in the rail industry as an apprentice in 1975, Chris has extensive experience of railway engineering and operations in the UK and various other countries, commencing with British Railways pre-privatisation and then Balfour Beatty in the UK, USA, Sweden and Hong Kong.
Joining Network Rail in 2001, he was Managing Director of the Network Rail subsidiary business responsible for the operations and maintenance of HS1 infrastructure, leading the development of the operating entity for the UK’s first High Speed Route and accepting the handover from the constructor into operation.
In 2011, Chris became Transportation Director for Serco’ Middle East operation including operations and maintenance of the iconic Dubai Metro. He led the renewal of the contract with Dubai’s Roads and Transportation Authority and expanded Serco’s transport business in the regions including leading a UK consortium to commission North South Rail in Saudi Arabia.
Chris Rayner joined High Speed Two (HS2) Ltd in April 2015 and held the position of Director of Stations and Systems with direct accountability for about half of HS2’s Capital programme which amounts to around £14b. He also led the development of the operating concept, commercial development of the stations and the development of the Infrastructure Management organisation in preparation for the railway to be handed into operation. .
Note Chris is currently employed full time by HS2 Ltd and will not be available for work until he leaves HS2 Ltd in 2025
Tim Smart
Tim has over forty years’ experience in the design, construction and management of major infrastructure projects with the past twenty years focussed on the development of the UK’s high speed rail network. He has held senior roles from concept definition through to operation on high speed rail networks.
Appointed as HS2’s Chief Engineer Tim’s most recent experience has been managing the route planning and enabling legislation for the UK’s HS2 project – the UK’s largest ever rail project. Since 2012 Tim has overseen development of concept plans for the HS2 network through statutory approvals, delivery planning and commitment to construction on the first phase from London to Birmingham. Following on from this he was Managing Director for the original £45bn Phase 2 route development north of Birmingham.
Tim’s prior experience included the management and delivery of sections of the UK Channel Tunnel Rail Link now HS1, the UK’s first highspeed rail project where he was on the Board as Engineering Director. He also has significant experience in metro construction and conventional rail engineering operations and maintenance. He has acted as expert witness for high speed rail development and performed advisory roles for development of new fast and highspeed rail lines in the USA, Malaysia and Sweden.
Note Tim is currently employed full time by HS2 Ltd and will not be available for work until he leaves HS2 Ltd
Steve Hoskins
Steve has been engaged in leading roles on rail business development and transaction based project initiatives in Europe, North America, Middle East, Africa and South East Asia on behalf of Government Agencies, Equipment Contractors, Transport Operators, Concession Companies, Utility and Rail Infrastructure Owners.
His hands-on experience of route strategy development, rail franchise and concession procurement, corporate acquisition and asset development has given him a thorough understanding of railway stakeholder environments in many parts of the world together with the legal, regulatory, commercial, financial and operational frameworks that underpin them.
A Masters Degree in Project Management provides the analytical foundation for Steve’s management style and precision. He has published articles on ‘Project Marketing’ in the international business press and lectured on the International MBA programmes at leading European business schools.
The Story of High Speed Partnership
The Highspeed Partnership was formed by three long term colleagues who have worked at a senior level in the rail industry, Chris, Tim and Steve who are all passionate about Rail and have established a small consultancy team with people they have worked with at a similar level in the industry. HSP and our associates are a team of people experienced as the controlling minds of large railway organisations. We deliver high quality advice and solutions for clients based on a pragmatic appraoch drawing on our extensive global experience in rail projects. Our practical, concise style is based on an intimate knowledge of rail throughout the life cycle from inception to operations. We have a very unique experience in highspeed rail projects based on a “been there, done that” capability with a deep understanding of what it takes to deliver a successful outcome.
Our Growth
We want to work with Railway authorities and major consultancy organisations who need senior level experience in rail development. We have experience of Rail projects including UK, USA, Canada, Sweden, UAE and the KSA
Our Values
At Highspeed Partnership , we believe in honesty, integrity, and hard work. We are dedicated to providing our clients with the best possible service, and we are committed to building lasting relationships based on trust and respect. We will only provide service where we think this will add value - we do not land and expand.