Andrew Wolstenholme appointed new Crossrail Chief Executive

Andrew Wolstenholme

Crossrail today announced that Andrew Wolstenholme has been appointed as Crossrail’s new Chief Executive, succeeding Rob Holden, who is stepping down in mid-July.

Andrew Wolstenholme, currently Director of Innovation and Strategic Capability with Balfour Beatty, will take up his new role in September 2011.

Andrew was Project Director for the construction of Heathrow Terminal 5 and oversaw construction of the £4bn terminal on time, and on budget. Andrew also acted as Construction Director on the Heathrow Express Rail Link and as BAA’s Director of Capital Projects.

Crossrail Chairman Terry Morgan said: “I’m delighted to announce the appointment of Andrew Wolstenholme as Crossrail’s new Chief Executive. Andrew is an outstanding candidate to oversee the delivery of this critically important project for London and the UK.

“Construction of Crossrail is accelerating and we are now less than one year away from the start of tunnelling to build the major new rail tunnels under London. Andrew will be joining Crossrail at a strategically important time, just ahead of intensive construction getting underway, and will lead the project into its next phase of delivery. Andrew will also be responsible for mobilising up to 14,000 people to work on the project and the delivery of our commitment to leave a major skills legacy through the training of at least 3,500 people to work underground via the UK Tunnelling and Underground Construction Academy in east London.”

Andrew Wolstenholme said: “Crossrail is a construction project of epic proportions and one of huge importance to Londoners. It is a privilege to be given the opportunity to lead one of the biggest infrastructure projects ever undertaken in the UK. Crossrail will transform rail travel in London and the south east, delivering much needed additional transport capacity, reduced journey times and new train services. With the first tunnel boring machines due to arrive in less than nine months from now, Crossrail is moving ahead at significant speed and I’m immensely looking forward to getting down to work. My overarching priority is to deliver this project for London, on time and on budget.”

Terry Morgan continued: “I would like to thank Rob Holden for the major contribution he has made to the Crossrail project which he leaves in great shape. Under Rob’s leadership Crossrail was given a green light in the Comprehensive Spending Review, all the tunnelling contracts have been let, work on the major new central London stations is underway, contracts for the manufacture of the tunnel boring machines have been signed and savings of over £1bn were achieved which secured the project’s future. We wish him well for the future roles he will undertake.”