EUROSTAR is having a management shake-up before the first section of the Channel Tunnel Rail Link opens in Kent. Richard Brown, former boss of National Express Group, will be chief executive of Eurostar Group and Eurostar UK from August 13.

Frenchman Guillaume Pepy, executive vice president in charge of passenger services at SNCF, will take over from David Azema, chairman of Eurostar Group, at the end of September. Jacques Damas, the group's operations director, will take over operations at both organisations.

Mr Brown has worked in the rail industry since 1977, when he worked for the British Railways Board. He was chairman of the Association of Train Operating Companies in 2000 and 2001 at a tough time for the railways following several fatal accidents.

Company chairman Rob Holden said: "The strength and depth of the team will enable Eurostar to capitalise on its leading position on the core London/Paris/Brussels routes and to enhance its services further."

Section One of the rail link opens in September next year between Folkestone and Fawkham Junction, near Gravesend.

David Azema leaves in September to become chief executive of Vinci Concessions, a French group specialising in car park management, road infrastructure, large structures and facilities and airport management and services. He joined Eurostar Group in March 1999 and took over the roles of chief executive and chairman in September 1999.

Rob Holden said: "We are sorry that David Azema has decided to leave Eurostar Group. He has contributed substantially to the development of the business and has significantly simplified and strengthened our complex cross-border organisation."

Eurostar, jointly owned by French SNCF, Belgian SNCB and British London & Continental Railways, started operations in 1994 and now has the largest share of the air/rail market on its core routes.