New Crossrail chief executive to start early

The new chief executive of Crossrail, Andrew Wolstenholme, has brought forward his starting date at the £14.5bn mega project.

Wolstenholme, who was appointed in May after existing chief executive officer Rob Holden announced his intention to leave, will now take up his job at the end of next month. He had originally not been planning to start until September.

Former chief executive Rob Holden stepped down formally this week.

The move was announced amid a small board reshuffle, which will see the former chair of Arup, Terry Hill, appointed to the Crossrail board. Hill, who last year led the government’s review of the cost of civil engineering projects in the UK, will take up his job in September 1.

Other changes will see Patrick Crawford step-down from the board when his current three-year term expires on 31 July 2011. The current non-executive board member, Heather Rabbatts CBE, has been re-appointed for a further three-year term from 13 August 2011.

Chair Terry Morgan said: “Crossrail is now quickly advancing towards the start of intensive construction. Now is therefore the right time to further strengthen the Crossrail board.

“I’m delighted that Terry Hill will be joining. Terry has significant construction industry experience having led one of the UK’s leading engineering companies and will bring invaluable expertise in major transport infrastructure delivery.”