RailMarket.com · 04 November 2026 · en
Former SNCF Voyageurs chief Christophe Fanichet appointed Eurostar CEO
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AI · gpt-5.4-mini-2026-03-17 · relevance 58Eurostar appointed Christophe Fanichet, former CEO of SNCF Voyageurs, as its new CEO. He will oversee a EUR 2 billion fleet investment programme, including up to 50 Alstom double-decker high-speed trains under the Celestia programme, with first service expected in May 2031.
Malaysia rail suppliers should watch Eurostar’s fleet renewal for future subcontracting opportunities in rolling stock components, systems integration, maintenance, and digital services tied to a major European high-speed train programme.
Ringkasan
Eurostar melantik Christophe Fanichet, bekas Ketua Pegawai Eksekutif SNCF Voyageurs, sebagai CEO baharu. Beliau akan menyelia program pelaburan armada bernilai EUR 2 bilion, termasuk sehingga 50 tren laju dua tingkat Alstom di bawah program Celestia, dengan perkhidmatan pertama dijangka pada Mei 2031.
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Eurostar announced the management change on 2 November. Until Fanichet takes office, Matthieu Quyollet, the company's Chief Financial, Strategy and Transformation Officer and deputy CEO, will lead the business on an interim basis.
Fanichet spent nearly two decades in senior management positions within the French national railway group SNCF. He served as Chairman and CEO of SNCF Voyageurs from January 2020 until July 2026 and has been a member of Eurostar Group's board of directors since 2022.
Cazenave took over Eurostar in October 2022 and oversaw the integration of Eurostar and Thalys under a single brand. During her tenure, the operator reached 20 million annual passengers in 2025. She reported revenue growth of more than 30% since 2022 and an EBITDA margin of 18%.
The incoming CEO will oversee the implementation of Eurostar's EUR 2 billion fleet investment programme. The operator has ordered up to 50 Alstom double-decker high-speed trains under the Celestia programme, with the first units expected to enter passenger service in May 2031.
Eurostar currently operates 51 high-speed trains across its international network connecting the United Kingdom, France, Belgium, the Netherlands and Germany. SNCF remains its majority shareholder with a 55.75% stake.