With over 30 years' experience in the rail industry, Mr Thurston is currently European regional Managing Director (MD) for CH2M.
He also worked on the London 2012 Olympics and Crossrail, where he was lead for the Programme Partner joint venture for three years.
Previously, he started as an apprentice with Transport for London (TfL), before fulfilling a series of roles with The Nichols Group, Metronet, and most recently with CH2M since 2008.
The appointment comes after a five month global search following the departure of Simon Kirby. He will take up his new role in spring.
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David Higgins, Chairman of HS2, said: "Mark not only knows the UK rail industry from the bottom up, but has worked for organisations operating at the highest level globally. His grasp of how to manage the transition from page to reality makes him not only the right person to take over at HS2 as we are on the verge of Royal Assent, but also to see it through the years leading up to the first train being commissioned.
"The challenge is huge in terms of the task and timescale, but the Board believes Mark has the knowledge, experience and leadership qualities to deliver the project within the budget we have been given and to do so in a way that recognises our responsibility both to Parliament and the communities in which we will be operating."
Mr Thurston added: "HS2 is arguably the most important investment in infrastructure in the UK for a generation, which will serve businesses and communities across much of the country. I am looking forward to leading the HS2 team and its partners to deliver a railway that will transform connectivity between our major cities and regions."
(LM)
