HS1 has announced the appointment of Virginie Merle as the company’s new CFO as it continues the growth of the UK’s only international rail line.
Virginie joins HS1 from Keolis, where she was the UK, Middle East and India CFO. A dual British and French citizen, Virginie has over 20 years of finance experience, mostly in the transport sector. She has held board positions at Govia Thameslink Railway, Nottingham Trams, Keolis Amey Metrolink and Keolis Amey Docklands.
Virginie will begin her new role in September, taking over from interim CFO Claire Howling, who will stay with HS1in a new Finance Director role.
Virginie Merle, incoming CFO of HS1 Ltd, said:
“I am delighted to have been appointed as the new CFO of HS1 and I look forward to being a part of the exciting journey of growth for high-speed rail over the coming years.”
“I am excited to know that I will be working with a highly professional and motivated team at HS1 and I look forward to collaboration with my new colleagues and the company’s stakeholders to build on the business’s already significant success and unlock its full economic and environmental potential.”
Robert Sinclair, CEO of HS1 Ltd, said: “Virginie brings a wealth of experience with years of leading finance teams in the transport sector and is well placed to help grow HS1 at a very exciting time for the business as more and more people look to travel by rail to Europe.”
The appointment comes at an exciting time for HS1. The HS1 line has capacity to run up to 50% more cross-Channel services and planning for enhancements at St Pancras International underway in order to help grow international rail travel from the UK.
Image credit: HS1
