Crossrail names Martin Rowark as new procurement head

Crossrail has announced that Martin Rowark is to join the venture shortly as its new head of procurement.

Previously deputy head of procurement for the London 2012 Olympics, Rowark has most recently advised the Transport for London team delivering the East London Line.

He was earlier head of civil engineering and railways at Davis Langdon, where he worked on the Channel Tunnel Rail Link, the West Coast route modernisation, the White City development and Metronet Trans4m/Alliance.

Rowark will take up his new role as head of procurement at Crossrail on 21 December, reporting directly to commercial director Martin Buck.

Buck said: "I am delighted that Martin Rowark will be joining us… He brings a wealth of experience to the project as he has contributed to key railway projects in the past. We look forward to having him on board and strengthening the team to help deliver Europe's largest construction project on time and to budget."

Rowark, who is a member of the RICS, said: “It is an exciting time to be a part of a project of such national significance as Crossrail.”

Rowark takes over from Steve Rowsell, who will stay closely involved with the Crossrail project as a consultant. He joined Crossrail on an interim basis in 2007 to create the procurement strategy.

The main construction programme for Crossrail is due to start next year, with tunnelling to commence in 2011. The line is scheduled to open for service in 2017.