Sir Terry Morgan is set to take up the role of chairman of HS2 Ltd in just a matter of weeks.

Morgan, who has been the chairman of Crossrail since 2009, will join HS2 on 1 August, replacing Sir David Higgins. He is the second former Crossrail executive to make the move onto HS2’s board after former chief executive Andrew Woolstenholme became a non-executive earlier this year.

The newly-appointed HS2 chair is also a former chief executive of Tube Lines, a PPP company that was contracted to maintain and upgrade the infrastructure of the Jubilee, Northern and Piccadilly lines, and held leading roles at BAE Systems, Rover Group and the Chartered Management Institute.

Commenting on the appointment, transport secretary Chris Grayling said: “Sir Terry’s appointment as chair of HS2 ensures that we will continue to see world-class leadership in an exciting period for one of Europe’s most significant infrastructure projects, helping deliver huge economic growth and improvements for passengers across the country. His wealth of experience and expertise, demonstrated in numerous leading roles including overseeing the ambitious Crossrail project, as well as his respected reputation and enthusiasm, will be invaluable in the project’s continued success.

Morgan said: “It is a privilege to take up this crucial role with HS2 – a railway that will help transform this country through better connections for over 300,000 passengers every single day. HS2 will be a driving force behind greater prosperity and productivity across the country, unlocking opportunities for growth and regeneration and building a transport network fit for the future. I look forward to meeting the team and beginning the vital work of taking this magnificent project from strength to strength.”

The transport secretary has also announced that Ed Smith CBE has been appointed as a non-executive director of the HS2 Ltd board. HS2 is also set announce the appointments of a chief operating officer and chief finance officer.

Mark Thurston, HS2 chief executive added: “As we continue the process of moving from design to construction, HS2 is stepping up a gear. In our short history we have contracted over 2,300 small, medium and large firms across the country and that process is only going to keep picking up pace in the next few years. As we continue to evolve as an organisation to meet that challenge, the guidance and direction that Terry will bring to his role will be vital.”

Commenting on the appointment, chief executive of the Association for Consultancy and Engineering (ACE) Nelson Ogunshakin said: “Sir Terry Morgan is an astute choice to drive HS2 forwards. He’s done great work with Crossrail and HS2 Academy, and can now leverage that expertise on another project of vital importance to the UK’s national economy. He is highly respected across the industry and in government circles for his leadership and ‘can do’ approach to major project delivery. He will be a huge asset for the HS2 project which is gearing up to ground-breaking.”