The ambitious plan to double capacity at St Pancras International, with architectural oversight from Hawkins\Brown, is not just a boost for rail travel; it’s set to create thousands of new jobs, spur economic activity, and strengthen the UK's position in sustainable transport.

What the St Pancras International Project Involves

• A phased £60 million programme:
• Short‑term tweaks (over the next 3–4 years) to passport, security, and border zones, aiming to increase capacity to ~2,700 passengers hourly
• By 2028, redesigning the concourse and connecting international lounges to enhance flow and space.
• Looking ahead to the 2030s, more substantial remodelling may include elevating arrivals to support up to 5,000 passengers per hour 

• Hawkins\Brown’s mission: Develop a refined ground‑floor layout that respects the Grade I listed structure while doubling capacity without major rebuilds 

  
  

Career Opportunities & Skills Demand

This project isn’t only about bricks and mortar; it’s a talent magnet across several sectors:

1. Architecture, Design & Civil Engineering

Expect a surge in jobs for Architects, Design Engineers, and Project Managers to support masterplanning, RIBA‑stage design, heritage preservation, and contractor coordination.

2. Construction & Project Delivery

From Construction Managers to Site Supervisors, Quantity Surveyors, and Logistics Coordinators, the expansion requires a large, skilled workforce to manage upgrades without disrupting daily operations.

3. Rail Infrastructure & Systems

Technical specialists in signalling, station systems, border control automation, and passenger flow design will be critical for integrating new operational processes.

4. Operations, Security & Customer Experience

Post-construction, the station will need Operational Managers, Security experts, and Customer Journey Managers to deliver on its promise of a smoother, faster, and more enjoyable travel experience.

Wider Benefits for the UK

• Green travel acceleration: With the station capable of handling 35 million annual passengers by 2040 - up from 11 million today - high-speed rail offers a cleaner alternative to air travel
• Economic uplift: Increased connectivity draws investment, tourism, and jobs in surrounding areas. Similar transport-led regenerations in London have often created thousands of roles and boosted local GDP.
• Gateway for competition and growth: Improved capacity opens doors to new operators, breaking Eurostar’s dominance with potential entrants like Virgin, Heuro, and Evolyn, leading to competitive fares and expanded routes

For Hiring Managers & Job Seekers Alike

Whether you're looking to build your dream career in architecture, rail, or construction, or need to scale your team to support this transformative project, now is a pivotal moment.

How Bennett & Game Can Help

• Talent strategy: We guide clients through workforce planning and sourcing specialists across design, engineering, and rail operations.
• Candidate readiness: We support candidates moving into high-growth sectors with targeted coaching, CV preparation, and interview prep.

This is more than an infrastructure upgrade - St Pancras is evolving into a sustainable, job-rich transport hub that will shape the future of cross-border travel and UK employment.

Want to explore roles on this project or plan your recruitment strategy around it? Get in touch today, we’d love to help.

Sources: 

Hawkins Brown appointed to help design expansion of St Pancras international

Massive UK train station reveals plans to double passengers in £60million masterplan – including new routes to Europe  

St Pancras owner lays out plan to boost Channel passenger numbers