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Crossrail chief executive stands down as Underground boss takes up role

The chief executive of Crossrail has stood down from his role.

Transport for London announced today that Simon Wright, the chief executive of the £15.4bn project, will step down from the role “as planned,” and on 19 November will be replaced by Mark Wild, who is currently the managing director of London Underground.

Last week the government announced it would give a £350m lifeline loan to Crossrail, after it was announced at the end of August that the project would be delayed nine months from its intended opening date of December this year.

Simon Wright said: “Everyone involved in the project is fully focused on ensuring the Elizabeth Line is completed as quickly as possible.

“With the construction phase due to come to an end later this year, the major focus for Crossrail will be the integration of the complex railway systems and the start of full-time testing.”

Mark Wild has served as managing director since June 2016, and will return to his role at London Underground once the Elizabeth Line has opened through central London. He will initially work alongside Simon Wright who will step down as chief executive of Crossrail Ltd later this year.

While Mark Wild is at Crossrail Ltd, London Underground director of network operations Nigel Holness will step up to the role of managing director. He will take up his previously-announced position of deputy chief executive for Metro Trains Sydney at a later date.

Mike Brown MVO, London’s transport commissioner, said: “The Elizabeth Line is the single most significant addition to London’s transport infrastructure in a generation. It is absolutely vital that Crossrail Ltd completes the job of delivering it safely and reliably for London.

“Mark’s extensive knowledge and experience of delivering major signalling and systems integration projects will be vital for the final stages of the project.”

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