DEPARTMENT FOR
TRANSPORT News Release (175) issued by COI News Distribution
Service. 17 November 2008
Terry Morgan to be
Non-Executive Chair from November 2009
Douglas Oakervee will
undertake Non-Executive Chair role until then
Rail Minister Andrew Adonis and Mayor of London Boris Johnson
today announced that Terry Morgan, the current Chief Executive of
Tube Lines, will become the Non-Executive Chair of Crossrail from
November 2009.
Crossrail's current Executive Chairman Douglas Oakervee, who
has successfully led the company over the past three years, will
become Non-Executive Chairman until Mr Morgan takes up his post.
Mr Morgan will remain in his role at Tube Lines until then.
Following Parliamentary approval of the Crossrail Act in July,
the status of Cross London Rail Links Limited has changed from
that of a planning and promotional organisation to the delivery
agent for this vital new railway, which will deliver an additional
10 per cent to London's rail-based public transport capacity
when it opens in 2017.
Andrew Adonis said:
"Crossrail will be the biggest addition to the transport
network in London and the South East for 50 years and will be a
vital boost to the UK economy. I'm delighted that we've
been able to secure the services and experience of Terry Morgan
who has vast experience of running and delivering major transport
engineering projects in London. I'm also very pleased that
Douglas Oakervee, who has done such an excellent job leading
Crossrail so far, will be Non Executive Chair until Terry takes over."
Mayor of London, Boris Johnson said:
"Crossrail is a truly incredible project in vision and scale
and is absolutely vital to London's future prosperity and
growth. I'm determined to see it delivered on time and on
budget and Terry Morgan's experience will be vital in
ensuring that this is achieved. His knowledge of London's
transport infrastructure and how it will integrate with Crossrail
during and after construction will be a major asset to this
project, which will improve the quality of life for millions of
Londoners and boost the economy at this crucial time.
"I'm also extremely grateful to Douglas Oakervee for
the pivotal role he has played in getting Crossrail to where it is
today. There's no-one better qualified to oversee the
critically important task of finalising the contracts to enable
main construction to begin in 2010."
Terry Morgan said:
"It's an honour to be taking on this important role.
When successfully delivered, Crossrail will add a vital 10 per
cent capacity to London's rail-based public transport network.
"Douglas Oakervee deserves huge credit for the leadership
and skill he has shown in steering the Crossrail scheme to the
start of construction. I'll be working closely with him as I
prepare to take up the reins in November 2009.
"Until then, my priorities will be to ensure the continued
delivery at Tube Lines and to ensure a smooth handover to my
successor. We've built sound foundations and delivered many
improvements for Tube passengers, and I look forward to the
transformation of the Tube continuing apace."
Douglas Oakervee OBE, current Executive Chair of Crossrail, said:
"Terry Morgan is an excellent choice as Chair to oversee the
delivery of Crossrail and I look forward to working with him over
the year ahead. Work on Crossrail is now moving full-speed ahead
and I expect negotiations on the agreements that will underpin the
governance of Crossrail to be concluded over the new few weeks. We
continue to make progress with the appointment of Crossrail's
delivery and programme partners and this is scheduled to be
finalised in early 2009."
Recruitment for the new post of Crossrail Chief Executive Officer
is currently underway. Both Douglas Oakervee and Terry Morgan will
have a role to play in the recruitment process and a further
announcement will be made in due course.
Notes to Editors:
* Following Parliamentary approval of the Crossrail Act in July
2008, the status of Cross London Rail Links Limited (CLRL) has
changed from that of a planning and promotional organisation to
the Delivery Agent for this vital new railway.
* The existing post of Executive Chair will have its
responsibilities divided into the new posts of non-Executive Chair
and Chief Executive Officer.
* The appointment of the non-Executive Chair of Crossrail is a
joint appointment by the Secretary of State and the Mayor of London.
* The appointment of Crossrail Chief Executive Officer is the
responsibility of the CLRL Board.
* Terry Morgan is currently Chief Executive of Tube Lines Limited
which has a 30-year Public Private Partnership contract with
London Underground to upgrade the Jubilee, Northern and Piccadilly
lines. Terry Morgan was previously Group Managing Director -
Operations with BAE Systems.
* Douglas Oakervee OBE is one of the country's most
distinguished civil engineers, with vast international experience
in the delivery of major projects. He was elected 139th President
of the Institution of Civil Engineers in 2003. He was appointed
Executive Chairman of Cross London Rail Links Ltd in December 2005
and under his leadership Crossrail obtained its £15.9bn funding
package and the Crossrail Bill completed its parliamentary
process, attaining Royal Assent in July 2008. He was awarded the
prestigious Institution of Civil Engineers Gold Medal the same year.
* As was laid out in the Heads of Terms published on 26 November
2007, Cross London Rail Links (CLRL) will become a 100% subsidiary
of TfL after the necessary governance agreements have been
finalised and executed. This is expected to occur before the end
of the year. The project will continue to be the joint
responsibility of TfL and the Secretary of State for Transport as Sponsors.
* The TfL Board and the CLRL Board will continue to be separate
entities. The CLRL Board, reconstituted on 1 August 2008,
comprises four independent Non Executive Directors and three
Executive Directors. However, in addition the Mayor/TfL and
Department for Transport in their roles as project sponsors, each
retain the right to nominate one further Non Executive Director to
the CLRL Board.
* As Crossrail will be a 100% subsidiary of TfL and TfL is a
major funder of Crossrail, the Chair and Chief Executive of
Crossrail will have an ongoing relationship with TfL and its
Board. This structure will allow CLRL to focus on delivery of
Crossrail, a project of huge size and scale, with appropriate
levels of scrutiny and accountability.
Public Enquiries: 020 7944 8300
Department for Transport
Website: http://www.dft.gov.uk