Former Crossrail boss takes top job at HS2

Mark Wild has been appointed the new chief executive officer (CEO) of HS2 Limited.  

Wild has almost forty years of experience in the infrastructure industry, including as CEO of Crossrail for almost four years, and most recently as CEO of SGN, the gas distribution network covering Scotland and South East England. 

Prior to Crossrail, Wild was managing director of the London Underground and was previously chief executive of Public Transport Victoria, the integrated transport authority in Melbourne, Australia. 

His appointment follows the departure of former HS2 boss, Mark Thurston, who led the project for six-and-a-half-years before stepping down in September last year and who was recently appointed CEO of Anglian Water. 

Sir Jon Thompson will continue in his current position as executive chairman until Wild’s arrival, which will be confirmed in due course, when Thompson will resume his previous role as chairman. 

In his new role as CEO, Wild will oversee construction of the infrastructure to operate the high-speed railway in 2029/33. 

He said: “I look forward to leading HS2 as it progresses from major construction works to its rail systems phase and beyond to the first passenger services.  

“The scale and ambition of HS2 is phenomenal and will deliver wide-reaching benefits for the UK through more jobs, economic growth and better journeys.” 

Thompson said: “Mark joins HS2 Ltd with unrivalled experience and a track record of successful delivery, giving confidence that he will drive this hugely complex programme to completion – providing more reliable and faster services for rail users, while boosting the economies of the West Midlands and London. It is a mark of the scale and ambition of HS2 that we can attract a leader of his calibre.” 

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