The former head of the huge Crossrail project in London has been appointed as the new chief executive of HS2.
Mark Wild brings around four decades of experience on major utilities and rail infrastructure projects, including four years on Crossrail, seeing the project to its completion in 2022.
He is currently chief executive of SGN, the gas distribution network covering Scotland and south east England, and he has also led London Underground and worked in Melbourne with Public Transport Victoria.
Mr Wild replaces Mark Thurston who left the post last September after six and a half years.
His start date with HS2 is yet to be confirmed, meaning Sir Jon Thompson will continue in his current position as executive chairman before switching back to being chairman once Mr Wild is in post.
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Work is progressing on the high-speed rail line between Birmingham and London which will include four new stations and which is due to open by 2033.
Main civil engineering on HS2 is expected to reach its peak in 2024 and 2025, with the physical railway then beginning to take shape.
Later this year, HS2 is due to award contracts for the development of the tracks, power, signalling, overhead lines and the railway's new network control centre in Washwood Heath, Birmingham.
He will be the first permanent chief executive in post following Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's decision between Birmingham and the East Midlands and North West.
Mr Wild 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 º£½ÇÊÓƵ through more jobs, economic growth and better journeys."
Secretary of State for Transport Mark Harper added: "HS2 between Euston and the West Midlands will provide faster connections for millions of passengers, grow the economy, regenerate communities and create tens of thousands of high-skilled jobs across the country.
"Mark brings a wealth of experience with him, including leading the successful delivery of Crossrail, and I have every confidence he will grip costs and robustly oversee this project to transform rail travel for generations."
Sir Jon Thompson said: "Mark joins HS2 with unrivalled experience and a track record of successful delivery, giving confidence he will drive this hugely complex programme to completion. It is a mark of the scale and ambition of HS2 that we can attract a leader of his calibre."
