Morning:
8°c
New Tube boss is man who got trains running after 7/7 bombs
Dick Murray14 Sep 2009
The new head of the Tube was named today as Mike Brown, now in charge of Heathrow airport.
He was formerly chief operating officer of London Underground before moving to airport owner BAA at the start of last year.
Mr Brown, 45, is widely credited with restoring services on the Tube just 24 hours after the 7/7 bombings.
He succeeds Richard Parry, who stepped in as interim managing director this year following the departure of Tim 0'Toole. Mr Brown takes over early next year.
Peter Hendy, the Transport Commissioner, said: "Mike has an impressive track record of leadership and takes the reins at one of the most important times in the Tube's 146-year history."
Mayor Boris Johnson said: "Mike is an experienced leader and will make a superb boss of the Tube."
Mr Brown faces huge problems on his return. There is doubt over the future of Tube Lines, the remaining private-sector consortium, to deliver its contracted improvements, particularly on the Jubilee line.
Mr Brown also has to deal with the continuing fall-out from the collapse of Metronet and face pay demands from the Tube's unions in the run-up to the 2012 Olympics.
