The former head of the Australian state of Victoria’s public transport network has been named as the new Managing Director of London Underground.
The vacancy arose following last summer’s elevation of Tube boss Mike Brown to the role of Transport Commissioner and has been filed on an interim basis by Nick Brown who is due to leave Transport for London.
As well as previously serving as Chief Executive of Public Transport Victoria, Mark Wild is currently a special advisor to the Minister and Secretary of The State Government of Victoria.
Wild’s 30 year career has seen him oversee a number of “large capital and maintenance programmes,” including signalling upgrades on the Tube’s Jubilee and Victoria lines.
TfL says he’s also been responsible for running “the world’s biggest tram network and large suburban railway and bus services.”
Announcing his appointment, Commissioner Mike Brown said: “We look forward to welcoming Mark Wild, who will help us continue the vital modernisation of London’s transport network.
“With our city’s population rising sharply we need to continue to drive forward change and deliver new and better services so that we can support London’s new homes, jobs and economic growth.
“I would also like to pay tribute to Nick Brown, our departing interim Managing Director. He has made a remarkable contribution to London Underground at a crucial time.
“Operational performance and customer service have been significantly improved, and he has led a fundamentally different and positive approach to engaging staff, stakeholders and trade unions to bring about real change. We wish him well in his next role.”
TfL has declined to confirm details of Mr Wild’s pay and any relocation package, saying this will be published in June as part of its annual accounts.
The appointment has been criticised by Liberal Democrat London Assembly member and mayoral candidate Caroline Pidgeon who has previously called for TfL’s upper echelons to become less male and less white.
Ms Pidgeon commented: “It is disappointing that once again Transport for London have appointed another man to one of its top jobs.
“For the last 8 years on the London Assembly I have been urging TfL to start appointing people to the very top positions who reflect London and its diverse population.
“Yet again they have shirked the challenge.”
