HS2 has appointed former Crossrail CEO Mark Wild OBE as its new chief executive.
Wild’s four-decade career in the industry includes managing director of the London Underground, CEO of Public Transport Victoria (the integrated transport authority in Melbourne, Australia) and MD of Invensys Rail.
As CEO of Crossrail (now known as the Elizabeth Line) between 2018 and 2022, Wild led the major infrastructure project to successful completion. His most recent role is CEO of British gas distribution company SGN.
His start date at HS2 is yet to be confirmed.
Wild replaces Mark Thurston, who was HS2’s chief executive for six-and-a-half years until last September. HS2 said Wild’s selection followed a rigorous recruitment process overseen by the HS2 board and led by Sir Jon Thompson, executive chair, with backing from secretary of state for transport Mark Harper.
Thompson will continue as executive chair until Wild’s arrival, when he will resume his previous role as HS2 chair.
Harper said: “Wild brings a wealth of experience with him, including leading the successful delivery of Crossrail, and I have every confidence he will grip costs and robustly oversee this project to transform rail travel for generations.”
Thompson said: “Mark joins HS2 Ltd with unrivalled experience and a track record of successful delivery, giving confidence that he will drive this hugely complex programme to completion – providing more reliable and faster services for rail users, while boosting the economies of the West Midlands and London. It is a mark of the scale and ambition of HS2 that we can attract a leader of his calibre.”
