Eurostar appoints Christophe Fanichet as new chief executive officer

International high-speed rail operator Eurostar announced on November 2 that Chief Executive Officer Gwendoline Cazenave is stepping down from her role, RailTech reported. Christophe Fanichet will take over as chief executive officer on December 1. In the interim, Matthieu Quyollet, who serves as Eurostar's chief financial, strategy and transformation officer and deputy chief executive officer, will act as chief executive officer. [1]

Fanichet brings prior senior leadership experience to the international passenger rail operator, according to RailTech. Related coverage of the leadership change was also reported by Rail Business Daily, Railway Gazette International, and Business Traveller. [1][2][3][4]

Eurostar operates international high-speed train services connecting Belgium, France, Germany, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom via the Channel Tunnel. The service originally started as a joint venture involving British Rail, SNCF, and SNCB, before evolving into Eurostar International Limited. Following a merger with Thalys under Eurostar Group, the operator is majority-owned by French state rail company SNCF alongside Belgian operator SNCB and other investors. [6][7]

The carrier transported nearly 19 million passengers in 2023 following recovery from pandemic disruptions, though it continues to navigate operational hurdles including labor strikes and Brexit-related border checks. Eurostar is currently planning service expansions to destinations including Frankfurt and Geneva by the early 2030s using a fleet of up to 50 double-decker trains. [7]