Crossrail has announced that its CEO, Andrew Wolstenholme, will step down after seven years to take up a position in the private sector.
Andrew’s departure is part of a planned demobilisation of Crossrail’s delivery and leadership team as it enters the final stages of the multi-billion pound megaproject with functions being transferred to the new infrastructure owner Transport for London.
Programme director Simon Wright will become the new CEO, combining the responsibilities with that of his current role.
Crossrail chair Sir Terry Morgan thanked Andrew for his “phenomenal contribution” and said that Simon, who has experience delivering the venues and infrastructure of the Olympic Park for London 2012, is well placed to see out the remaining phase of work.
Sir Terry Morgan added: “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.
Like this story? Follow us on Facebook to keep up to date on rail industry news
“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.”
Andrew Wolstenholme graduated from Southampton University in 1981 with a 1st class degree in civil engineering.
He served in the British Army for five years, first in the Royal Engineers and later as an Irish Hussar, and resigned his commission in 1985 to pursue a career in engineering.
Working for Arup as a bridge designer, he was seconded to Schal Associates in Chicago and moved to Hong Kong in 1992 to work on major infrastructure projects in South East Asia, including Hong Kong Airport and the Western Harbour Tunnel Crossing.
Andrew joined the British Airports Authority in 1997 as construction director on the Heathrow Express Rail Link and went on to become the programme director for Heathrow’s £4.3 billion Terminal 5.
He joined Balfour Beatty in 2009 and left, as director of innovation and strategic capability, in 2011 to take up the CEO role at Crossrail.
He was awarded an OBE for services to the construction industry in June 2009.
Andrew Wolstenholme remains a non-executive director of HS2.
Read more: ‘Dream’ role for long-serving Virgin Trains employee
