Eurostar has revealed who will take over as chairman after confirming that Richard Brown is to leave the company to head the government’s Franchise Advisory Panel.
Clare Hollingsworth will take over at the end of June, having joined Eurostar as an independent non-executive director in 2010.
Brown will be leaving Eurostar 11 years after becoming chief executive of the European rail operator. During his time in charge, Brown oversaw the company’s move from Waterloo International to St Pancras.
Last year, Brown was asked by ministers to look into the failings that led to the collapse of the franchise competition for the West Coast Main Line.
Richard Brown said: 
“It has been a great privilege to be at the heart of Eurostar’s growth and expansion over the last decade but the time is right for me to hand over the reins.”
Clare Hollingsworth said: 
”Over the last three years the business has been transformed into a successful private entity delivering strong growth in passenger numbers and profitability.
“With the arrival of a new fleet of trains and the launch of additional services over the next couple of years, we are entering a new phase and I look forward to supporting the Eurostar team in driving the future growth of the business.”
Hollingsworth’s experience includes senior roles at estate agent Savils, Spire Healthcare and Caledonia Airways.
