What does it take to move from carrying a toolkit on the London Underground to leading some of Britain’s most complex and closely scrutinised infrastructure organisations?

In this episode of Site Story, Colin Tomlinson speaks with Mark Thurston, Chief Executive Officer of Anglian Water and one of the UK infrastructure sector’s most experienced leaders.

Mark began his career as a 16-year-old technical apprentice before progressing through engineering, project management and executive leadership. His career has included senior roles connected with the London 2012 Olympic Games, Crossrail, CH2M and HS2. Today, he is helping Anglian Water navigate a period of significant infrastructure investment, technological change and regulatory reform.

This is an honest conversation about how careers actually develop, through strong foundations, trusted relationships, thoughtful risks and the confidence to step forward before you feel completely ready.

• Why Mark chose an apprenticeship rather than university
• The habits he developed while working as a young technician
• Why conscientiousness can be more valuable than academic brilliance
• How mentors and role models shaped Mark’s early career
• Why every professional needs support beyond their line manager
• What reverse mentoring can teach experienced executives
• How personal networks create unexpected career opportunities
• Why the London 2012 Olympic programme succeeded where other major projects struggle
• The difference between overt ambition and quiet self-belief
• How to become comfortable wearing the “cloak” of leadership
• What project managers should consider before stepping into bigger roles
• Why senior leadership can become lonely and why Mark still works with an executive coach
• How professionals can build a personal reputation without becoming self-promotional
• The role of technology, talent and infrastructure investment in Anglian Water’s future
• Why leaders must manage today’s performance while preparing an organisation for a future they may never personally oversee

Mark’s story is a reminder that extraordinary careers are often built from ordinary disciplines practised consistently over many years.

Resources:

Mark Thurston is an engineer and infrastructure leader with more than 30 years of experience. Before joining Anglian Water, he served as European Managing Director of CH2M and worked on major programmes including the London 2012 Olympics and Crossrail. From March 2017 to September 2023, he was Chief Executive Officer of HS2 Ltd.

Mark became Chief Executive Officer of Anglian Water in 2024. The organisation provides water and water recycling services to almost seven million people across the East of England and Hartlepool.

Connect with Mark

Mark Thurston’s official Anglian Water biography and the Anglian Water Group leadership page: https://www.anglianwater.co.uk/corporate/about-us/about-anglian-water/group-structure/our-board/mark-thurston

Follow Mark Thurston on LinkedIn: https://uk.linkedin.com/in/markthurston

Organisations Mentioned

— London Underground apprenticeship programme
— London 2012 Olympic Games
— Crossrail
— CH2M
— HS2
— Anglian Water
— UCL Infrastructure MBA
— Executive coaching and reverse mentoring

Develop Your Construction Leaders

Explore practical project management and construction leadership development with Colin Tomlinson and 150CLD. Its training focuses on helping construction professionals think clearly, lead confidently and improve project performance.

Do you assume that spending more time with people automatically builds trust and stronger working relationships? What if the real challenge is learning how to understand people before trying to influence them?

In this episode of Site Story, host Colin Tomlinson sits down with Alina Lixandru, Associate Director for Complex Projects at Atkins, to explore the role of communication, trust, collaboration and leadership in major infrastructure projects. Drawing on her experience working across cultures, clients and complex programmes, Alina shares practical insights into building relationships that deliver results.

In this episode, we cover:

• Why trust became even more important during and after the pandemic
• The lessons learned from managing relationships in a hybrid working world
• How communication differs across cultures, clients and organisations
• Why speaking up is the first step towards becoming a better communicator
• The importance of understanding a client's challenges before proposing solutions
• Why one-size-fits-all approaches rarely work in complex projects
• How genuine curiosity helps create stronger professional relationships
• The role of adaptability in consultancy and project leadership
• Practical ways to establish trust quickly with new stakeholders
• Why successful collaboration starts with understanding people's motivations

A thoughtful conversation packed with practical leadership lessons for anyone managing clients, teams or complex projects.

What if the reason many men struggle to open up about mental health is because we're asking them in the wrong way?

In this episode, host Colin Tomlinson speaks with Anthony Hutton, founder of the Never Throw In The Towel project, former Big Brother winner, barber, keynote speaker, and mental health advocate. Anthony shares how his own experiences with fame, adversity, and personal challenges inspired him to create practical, male-focused approaches to mental wellbeing.

In this episode:

• Why traditional mental health campaigns often fail to engage men
• How a barber chair can become a safe space for life-changing conversations
• The power of storytelling in creating trust and connection
• Simple breathwork techniques to manage stress and anxiety
• Why walking side-by-side often leads to deeper conversations
• The importance of environment, community, and daily habits for mental wellbeing
• Practical advice for leaders wanting to support mental health within their teams
• The story behind the Never Throw In The Towel movement and its growing impact

A powerful conversation about resilience, vulnerability, leadership, and creating spaces where people feel safe enough to ask for help.