The Shadow Broker, Donovan Hock and The Cerberus any possible connenction with the Andromeda Initiat

Maybe they did. I saw some speculations on Twitter, saying that the Ark crashed in the trailer because Cerberus infiltrated them.
We don't even know what's going on yet. So why assume they didn't have information?

I don't understands everybody's need to point out that X person or X organization SHOULD know about this project. Of course should they had known about it, IF it had been planned from the beginning. But we all know that ME:A was made because they wanted to escape from ME3 (and make money) so of course there will be things that is not making perfect sense.

Why can't people just be happy that we got SOMETHING instead of cutting everything apart? (Even before we have the full story)

TIM may of known. He may of even helped fund the project.

The broker may of known as well.

I'm not too worried I used the incorrect word.

The broker knew but was unconcerned. He figured it was either doomed to fail or even if it didn't, it wouldn't matter to his operations. It's not like he could've made use of it, a Yahg would be hard to miss. As lifeboats go, he probably had his own plans.

TIM might've known but would be arrogant enought to see it as running away/a waste of time. He was so sure he could control the Reapers, leaving never even entered his mind. Sending some operatives aboard to plant the seeds of Cerberus is a likely possibility though.

Edit: whoops, forgot about Hock. He was just a gun runner, fairly well off, but no evidence that he was a galactic player. Criminals were unlikely to be told about the arks.


Next.

While it's pretty obvious that this is a case of a new narrative made to escape the old one, if the Illusive Man knew about the Ark Initiative or even had an active role in its progress, would he really want to tell Shepard? After all, his endgame is siezing control over the reapers' technology. Fleeing to Andromeda certainly wouldn't accomplish that.

Just because it's one of the only ways to continue the series without choosing a canon ending, doesn't make it a retcon by default: there was no mention of this initiative prior to this, so now different interpretation of an existing canon event is necessary: this is additional lore.

This initiative may have various mysterious reasons and intentions behind it: we don't know everything yet, obviously.

It's definitely not a direct act of fleeing from the Reapers, but I'm fine with that: the galaxy is a big place and the fact that Liara/Yhargy/Hock/TIM hadn't mentioned it to Shepard, does not mean it couldn't of been a 'thing' that was definitely happening, and they may have hands in it...we'll see I guess (I'm thinking TIM and Liara both knew things).

I see people saying that Shepard should have full knowledge of this non-military venture: but why would he? He had his own stuff to deal with between ME1 and ME2's conclusion (like coming back from the dead): plus we didn't know him prior to ME1, he may well have known all about it back then and has dismissed the knowledge as 'silly hipster explorers' or the like, lol.

In 2185 which is after ME1 , TIM might not have yet had the idea of controlling the Reapers. His goal might at first have been revenge followed by human supremacy. After the Reaper
assault on the Citadel it became protecting humanity at any cost. Halfway ME 2 he might have adjusted it to human galactic dominance.

TIM would always have had a back up plan or two and the Andromeda Initiative might have been one of them. Putting Terra Firma and/or Cerberus members on the Arks to ensure human
survival. And even could have simply done a Kael'Thas and say " The Milky Way galaxy was only a setback " and board the Ark as an ultimate back up plan. ( implausible as it may seem )


Note : wild conjecture

It's not retcon and it's not that they didn't know. First off, you have to ask yourself why they would even give a shit?

"Okay, we're leaving for Andromeda now! Bye guys!" TIM & SB : *waits until they're gone* *in unison* Idiots. *high fives each other*

One of the tweets said this, I believe. Can't recall which one.

Oh my bad what I meant was a direct act as in a tangible one: like when the Reapers invade a year later.

I most definitely think in my heart that the exodus is perhaps expedited due to the pending Reaper invasion; or just the general bad vibe in the Milky Way