Mark Thurston

CEng

  • Visting Professor of Complex Project and Programme Leadership

Mark is CEO of Anglian Water, the largest water and water recycling company in England and Wales by geographic area. It supplies water and water recycling services to almost seven million people in the East of England and Hartlepool.

Portrait photograph of academic visitor to the School of Architecture, Building and Civil Engineering at º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ, Mark Thurston

Mark has over 35 years’ experience, including leadership roles in engineering, project and programme management and business operations. Having worked for client, consulting and delivery organisations, Mark has a successful track record across a mix of major organisations and investment programmes, including the London 2012 Olympics, Crossrail, CH2M and, more recently, the CEO of High Speed Two (HS2) from 2017 to 2023. 

Education

Mark started his career as a technician apprentice at London Underground and originally trained as an electrical and electronics engineer, specialising in telecommunications.  He attained a Higher National Certificate (HNC) in 1986 as part of a 4-year apprenticeship and has subsequently received a Master’s degree in Engineering (Project) Management from the Civil Engineering school at º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ.

Academic associations

Mark is a Visiting Professor at both the Bartlett School of Sustainable Construction at UCL and the School of Complex Project and Programme Leadership at º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ. He has received an Honorary Doctorate of Technology from the University of East London (UEL) and º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ.

Professional affiliations

Honorary Fellow of the Association for Project Management (FAPM) and Fellow of the Institution of Civil Engineers (FICE). Chartered Engineer (CEng) and member of the Institution of Engineering and Technology (MIET).