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Andrew Wolstenholme to Step Down as Crossrail Chief Executive

Written by Amy

Crossrail Limited has announced that as part of the planned demobilisation of its delivery and leadership team, Chief Executive Andrew Wolstenholme OBE is stepping down after seven years at the helm to take up a new role in the private sector. Programme Director Simon Wright OBE will lead the organisation in a combined role as Chief Executive & Programme Director, as it completes its remaining work.

Over the coming year, the Crossrail team will reduce as works complete in the central section of the railway and some functions transfer to Transport for London as the new infrastructure owner. The revised organisation will continue to coordinate work on the surface route and the integration of infrastructure to support Elizabeth line service changes during 2019.

Sir Terry Morgan CBE, Chairman, Crossrail, said: “Construction of the Elizabeth line has entered its final stages and during the coming year we will be handing over the completed assets to Transport for London, who will lead the final testing and commissioning phase ahead of the railway’s opening in December.

“I would like to thank Andrew Wolstenholme for the phenomenal contribution he has made to the Crossrail project over the last seven years. Andrew has overseen the project’s major construction phase including 42km of new tunnels, ten new stations and the installation of systems that will support the operation of the new railway. He has steered the project with a relentless focus on safety and in a way that delivers wider benefits to the UK in innovation, skills and environmental performance. Andrew leaves the team well placed to finish the remaining construction activity and commence infrastructure testing to finish the job, ahead of the opening of the Elizabeth line.”

Secretary of State for Transport, Chris Grayling MP, said: “Andrew’s leadership of Crossrail has been critical to its success to date. His work not just on delivering this vital and world-leading project, but also in championing innovative construction methods, supply chain development, diversity – as well as his relentless focus on safety – will leave a lasting legacy across the industry. I am extremely grateful for the contribution Andrew has made.

“I wish him well in his new role and and I am delighted that my Department will be continuing to work with Andrew in his capacity as a non-executive Director of HS2 Ltd, where his experience and skills will continue to be put to good use, to the benefit of the sector.”

Sadiq Khan, Mayor of London, said: “Andrew Wolstenholme has played a huge role in the delivery of the Elizabeth line – a multi-billion pound project that will transform travel in London and the South East and set new standards for infrastructure across Europe.  His leadership has ensured the project is more than 90 per cent complete, with the track and tunnels finished, and much of the focus now on the final phase of delivery. I’d like to thank Andrew for the immense contribution he has made to the project, and I wish him best of luck for the future.”

Construction and fit-out of the new Elizabeth line stations and tunnels by Crossrail Limited is nearing completion. From the summer, Crossrail will begin handing over the completed infrastructure to Transport for London for operational testing, ahead of the TfL-run railway opening in December 2018. Whilst final finishes and commissioning will continue through to autumn at some sites, the Crossrail project in the central section will be substantively complete.

Sir Terry Morgan continued: “I’m delighted to announce Simon Wright as Crossrail’s new Chief Executive & Programme Director. As Crossrail’s existing Programme Director and with the experience of delivering the venues and infrastructure at the Olympic Park for London 2012, he is well placed to see out the remaining phase of our work through to the handover of completed assets to Transport for London.”

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Amy