Crossrail appoints Andrew Turner interim IT director

Andrew Turner has been appointed interim IT director for Crossrail, Europe’s largest engineering project.

Turner, who spent almost five years as CIO at insurance specialists Hiscox where he was recognised for his work in the 2012 edition of the CIO 100, takes over from Neil Farmer, who was in the role since August 2009.

Turner will be overseeing an IT estate of between £20-30 million – depending on project activity – and more than 2,000 user accounts, although previous director Farmer told CIO last year that he ran a “lean in-house organisation” of which 75% of staff were outsourced.

Crossrailis the major railway link currently being built under central London. Work on the project began in 2009 after 35 years of planning. Crossrail, which aims to connect 37 stations around London, will consist of 21km of tunnels with the first trains due to start running in 2018.