Achieve Tough Targets; John Pelton on using Solution Focus to achieve a tough target
Resolving a difficult challenge at HS2
Mar 18, 2025
Abstract
This is the transcript of an interview with John Pelton, MBE, of CH2M HILL Consultants. John is now the Programme Partner Director of the Crossrail Project in London. In this interview, we discuss with John the benefits of using the Solution Focus (SF) approach on the HS2 Efficiency Challenge Programme. This Programme had the aim of saving £1.5 billion from the projected budget of HS2, through innovative working practices. HS2 will be Europe’s largest construction project once it has received final approval. Yes! And facilitated thirteen workshops for John and his Programme Team, using a SF approach. The workshops involved people from all levels (senior leaders through to engineers) within governmental organisations, engineering consultancies and engineering companies, may of whom were in direct competition with each other. Each workshop had a different purpose and outcome and covered different aspects of the programme construction.
Article
John Brooker
Co-President
SFiO Reviewed Practitioner
Editor of Interaction
Chapter Head
SFiO Contributor
John has over thirty years experience of leading people to collaborate effectively. He gained his leadership experience as a Senior Vice President in Visa International, working on international projects. Since 2004 he has used his leadership and Solution Focus expertise to enable people in multinational and national organisations to collaborate effectively. He is Co-President of Solution Focus in Organisations, an SFiO Reviewed Practitioner and has an MBA from The Open University in the UK.