Eurostar, the high-speed provider of carbon neutral rail journeys between the UK and continental Europe, today confirmed its plans for senior management changes that will take place in early 2010 at the same time as the launch of a new, single corporate entity that will replace the current joint venture structure.

Richard Brown, Chief Executive of Eurostar since 2002, will step up to become non-Executive Chairman of Eurostar, replacing Guillaume Pepy who has been non-Executive Chairman of Eurostar since 1998 and who became President Directeur General of SNCF (French Railways) in February 2008.

Nicolas Petrovic, who joined Eurostar in 2003 and is currently Chief Operating Officer, will take over as Chief Executive.

The planned changes are expected to coincide with the ‘go-live’ date for the single Eurostar company at the beginning of next year, and were announced to Eurostar staff last week.

Guillaume Pepy, Chairman of Eurostar, said: “Richard Brown and Nicolas Petrovic have done a great job of leading Eurostar over the last few years, establishing it as the world’s premier international train operator. Eurostar’s punctuality since the re-opening of the Channel Tunnel in February has been more than 95%.

“Since the launch of services in 1994, a ‘Eurostar Generation’ of cross-Channel travellers working and living between London, Paris and Brussels has been created. I look forward to the new company exploiting its unique expertise and experience in the forthcoming world of on-rail competition.” 

Richard Brown, Chief Executive of Eurostar said: “It has been seven years since I joined Eurostar, and from next year I look forward to a continuing role in overseeing the business in a new and exciting world. I am very pleased that Nicolas Petrovic, who has done an outstanding job over the last three years as Chief Operating Officer, will take over from me as Chief Executive.”

Eurostar’s new, single corporate entity, to be known as Eurostar International Limited, is expected to follow the conclusion of discussions between the shareholders in the current joint venture structure. It will continue to market itself and operate under the ‘Eurostar’ brand.