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Armitt to head London 2012 Olympic Delivery Authority
(Reuters)
Updated: 2007-05-10 10:12
John Armitt has been appointed chairman of the Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA), the body set up to oversee the building of key venues and infrastructure for the 2012 Olympic Games being staged in London.
The 60-year-old Armitt will take up his new post on September 1 after standing down as chief executive of Network Rail in July, said a statement from the department for culture, media and sport.
Olympics Minister Tessa Jowell was quoted on the department's Web site (www.culture.gov.uk) saying: "I am confident that under John's leadership, the ODA will ensure that London 2012 will be remembered not only for fantastic sport, but also inspiring venues, a legacy of world class sporting facilities, and the regeneration of one of the most deprived areas of the UK."
"He has a formidable amount of experience in engineering and construction, and is so well placed to lead an organisation charged with delivering one of the biggest and most complex building and regeneration projects this country has ever seen."
Armitt, who has been chief executive of Network Rail since October 2002, will serve a five-year term and will receive 250,000 pounds ($498,100) per annum for a 3-1/2 day week.
The London Games run from July 27-August 12, 2012.
TREMENDOUS HONOUR
A civil engineer by training, Armitt was previously chief executive of Costain Group and Union Railways.
"It is a tremendous honour to be appointed Chair of the Olympic Delivery Authority," he said. "The Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2012 will be the most exciting event to take place in this country in our lifetime."
Roy McNulty, who has been acting chairman of the ODA since October last year when American Jack Lemley resigned, will continue in his role as deputy chairman.
Sebastian Coe, chairman of the London Organising Committee (LOCOG), was delighted with Armitt's appointment.
"John and the experience he brings with him will be a great addition to the team and I am looking forward to working closely with him over the coming years.
"Together with the ODA we have achieved some exceptional milestones in our first full year of planning.
"With John on board and the continuity that Roy McNulty brings we are confident that the momentum will be maintained as we move into the building phase of the Olympic Park."
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