A new chief executive has been appointed at HS2 Ltd to lead the completion of the high-speed railway.

Mark Wild, previously CEO of Crossrail, will lead the project as civil engineering works along the route from London to the West Midlands reach their peak.

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.”

Mr Wild has nearly four decades of experience including as managing director of the London Underground and chief executive of Public Transport Victoria, the integrated transport authority based in Melbourne, Australia.

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."

This appointment forms part of a series of reforms across the project, aimed at safely delivering the scheme on time.

Mr Wild, whose start date will be confirmed at a later date, replaces Mark Thurston who led HS2 Ltd for six-and-a-half years until the end of September 2023.

Sir Jon Thompson will continue his tenure as executive chair until Mr Wild's arrival.