Crossrail chief executive appointed as new chief executive of HS2

Mark Wild OBE will bring almost forty years of experience to the role of HS2 Chief Executive

Mark, one of the most respected figures in the infrastructure industry, will join HS2 as CEO. brings nearly forty years of experience to this role.

Prior to Crossrail, Mark was Managing Director of London Underground and previously Chief Executive of Public Transport Victoria, an integrated transport authority based in Melbourne, Australia.

This new appointment is part of a series of project-wide reforms aimed at reducing costs and safely delivering the program on time, in line with recent scope changes announced by the Government.

The Secretary of Transportation praised the nomination

Mark was selected following a rigorous recruitment process overseen by the HS2 Ltd board and led by Sir Jon Thompson, chairman of the board, with the support of Mark Harper, Secretary of State for Transport.

Mark Harper said: “Mark Wild brings with him a wealth of experience, including leading the successful delivery of Crossrail, and I have every confidence that he will deliver on the costs and solidly oversee this project to transform rail travel for generations.”

Sir Jon Thompson said: “Mark joins HS2 Ltd with unrivaled experience and a track record of successful deliveries, giving us the confidence to deliver this incredibly complex program to completion – providing rail users with a more reliable and faster service, while boosting the West Midlands and London economies. That we can attract a leader of his caliber is a sign of the scale and ambition of HS2.

The exact start date of Marek’s career has not been confirmed yet

Sir Jon will continue in his current role as Executive Chairman until Mark’s arrival, at which time he will return to his previous role as Chairman of HS2 Ltd.

HS2’s new chief executive, Mark Wild OBE, said: “I look forward to leading HS2 as it moves from major construction works, through the development of rail systems, to its first passenger services. The scale and ambition of HS2 is phenomenal and will deliver far-reaching benefits for the UK in the form of more jobs, economic growth and better travel.”