Crossrail chairmanship interests Holden

Rob Holden, the man who masterminded the high-speed Channel Tunnel rail link, has indi-cated that he is interested in becoming chairman of the £16bn Crossrail project.

Last week, The Independent on Sunday revealed that Mr Holden will be asked to become chief executive of Crossrail, the Essex- to-Heathrow project that recently received government backing.

At 52, however, Mr Holden is understood to be interested in pursuing a portfolio career of non-executive roles rather than focusing on just one big job. This decision is not thought to be final and he will still consider the chief executive position if offered.

Mr Holden is in prime position for a senior role because of his widely praised work as chief executive at London & Continental Railways, which opened the £5.8bn Channel Tunnel rail link extension last year.

Headhunter Whitehead Mann is believed to have been hired to run the appointment process for a revamped Crossrail board. Mr Holden declined to comment.