EUROTUNNEL has announced three new senior appointments.

Jean-Pierre Trotigon has taken up the newly created post of chief operating officer and assumes responsibility for the infrastructure, shuttle, freight commercial, passenger commercial, purchasing and human resources divisions of the company.

The 54-year-old is a civil engineer by profession having graduated from the École Nationale des Ponts et Chaussées.

Having begun his career with the Ministry of the Equipment, and the Cabinet of the Transport Minister, he was successively deputy managing director of the Dunkerque Port Authority (and chairman of its Board, 1999-2003), deputy managing director of Autoroutes du Sud de la France, and managing director, Signature S.A. (Groupe Plastic Omnium).

In 1998 he joined Caisse des Dépôts Développement (C3D), a development agency, where he held various responsibilities.

His most recent appointment was managing director of Ubifrance, an agency for the development of French industry overseas.

Jacques Gounon, Eurotunnel chief executive, said: "I am delighted that Jean-Pierre Trotignon has joined us.

"His professional experience in the transport sector, including logistics, public transport, and the cross-Channel market will be a valuable addition to the company’s management team."

Eurotunnel has also announced two other new management appointments.

Patrick Etienne, who led a project team under the chief executive, has been appointed purchasing director and Jean-Pierre Ramirez, previously financial controller of the Railways Division, becomes director of railway access contracts.

They replace Charles Barral and Jerome Réquillart respectively, both of whom have left the company.