Rob Holden to leave Crossrail

24 January 2011

Crossrail’s Chief Executive Rob Holden has quit after nearly two years working on the project.

Appointed to lead the organisation responsible for the new London and South East mega rail project in April 2009, Holden will now step down during 2011.

Holden notably led Crossrail through the Comprehensive Spending Review with no major changes in scope forced upon the project.

Some GBP 1bn (USD 1.6bn) of savings were also identified at this time.

Terry Morgan, chairman of Crossrail, said, “We regret his decision to step down but respect it. He leaves the project in great shape and we are on firm foundations to maintain our momentum to deliver this critically important project for the UK, on time and within budget.”

Crossrail said Holden is leaving to explore new opportunities. Morgan said, “He has successfully taken Crossrail from the drawing board, through the detailed design process […] to the award of the main tunnel contracts late last year and the start of full construction.”

Holden said, “I leave Crossrail confident that, with its funding firmly in place, a robust delivery plan, clear governance and a strong delivery team, Crossrail is now well set to move forward to a successful launch.”

The exact date of Holden’s departure has yet to be finalised, but Crossrail has begun the hunting for a successor.

Prior to Crossrail, Holden came from London & Continental Railways, where he oversaw the successful delivery of the new High Speed 1 railway between St Pancras International in London and the Channel Tunnel. Previously, he was also the chairman of Eurostar UK.