John Armitt, Chairman of the ODA, said: 'David has done an inspirational job at the ODA over the last five years. We have been tasked with delivering the biggest construction project in Europe on a highly contaminated site to the ultimate fixed deadline.
'David set up the ODA from scratch and leaves it with the project on time, within budget and on the verge of completing the first major venues on the Olympic Park. He has done all this at the same time as helping achieve a first-class safety record and driving forward innovation in terms of sustainable construction.
'This is an exciting opportunity for David and I am sure he will do a brilliant job leading Network Rail over the years to come.
'Dennis Hone, who replaces him, has been Director of Finance at the ODA for the last four years. He has played a key role in our success to date and is a first-class replacement. He will give the ODA important continuity as we face the challenges that lie ahead.'
Seb Coe, Chair of the London Organising Committee for the Olympic and Paralympic Games (LOCOG), said: ‘We could not have wanted for a better partner in delivering the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. A large part of the confidence the British public and the IOC has in this project is due to the great progress David and his team have made on the Olympic Park.
'David’s wealth of experience and his leadership puts us in an excellent position to ensure the athletes of the world have the best possible environment to compete in 2012.'
David Higgins, outgoing Chief Executive of the ODA, said: 'It has been a privilege to lead the ODA over the last five years. It is a great organisation with outstanding staff who can be justifiably proud of what they are achieving.
'There was a lot of scepticism when we won the bid as to whether the UK construction industry was up to the challenge. Their performance on the Olympic Park is demonstrating that they are world leaders.
'There is still hard work ahead but I am confident we will have created a fantastic stage for the Games in 2012 and that LOCOG will put on a brilliant show.'
Dennis Hone said: 'This is a change of Chief Executive for the ODA but it does not mean a change of direction or focus. The challenge ahead of us is to continue to hit our milestones, bear down on costs and complete the venue construction at the same time as maintaining our excellent record on health and safety.'
Notes to editors:
1. Biography for Dennis Hone Chief Executive elect of the Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA):
Dennis Hone has been Director of Finance and Corporate Services at the ODA for over four years. Since the outset of the project he has been responsible for ensuring the management of the ODA’s budget and closely involved in the development of the ODA’s programme and delivery of the project. He is also responsible for a range of corporate services, such as IT functions, Legal and HR.
Dennis previously held a range of senior jobs in the public sector focused on regeneration. He joined the ODA from English Partnerships, the Government’s national regeneration agency, where he was Chief Operating Officer. His previous roles include Deputy Chief Executive and Director of Finance at the Commission for the New Towns and Financial Controller of the London Docklands Development Corporation.
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For further information please contact the Olympic Delivery Authority Press Office on +44 (0)20 3 2012 700.
The construction of the venues and infrastructure of the London 2012 Games is funded by the National Lottery through the Olympic Lottery Distributor, The Department for Culture, Media and Sport, the Mayor of London and the London Development Agency.
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