Mark Wild, who previously led London’s Crossrail project (now known as the Elizabeth Line), has been named the new CEO of the UK’s HS2 high-speed rail project. Wild will take over from former CEO Mark Thurston, who left in September 2023. HS2 services are scheduled to begin in 2033 between Old Oak Common station in West London and Birmingham Curzon Street. The project has faced some controversy, with the UK government deciding to scrap the extension north of Birmingham to Manchester last year. However, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has committed to constructing an HS2 link to Euston station in central London.