Christophe Fanichet
Eurostar Group has appointed Christophe Fanichet as its next CEO, taking over from Gwendoline Cazenave who has stepped down from the role after four years.
The high-speed train operator said Fanichet, who has held senior leadership roles within SNCF Group for around 20 years, will take over at Eurostar from 1 December. Fanichet has been a member of Eurostar’s board since 2022.
During her time as CEO, Cazenave led the integration of Eurostar and Thalys following their merger into an expanded Eurostar Group under the single Eurostar brand in 2023.
“We brought Eurostar and Thalys together to create a European high-speed rail champion, complete with a strong brand, an expanded network and a completely reimagined customer experience,” said Cazenave in a statement. “We have strengthened the company's competitive position and united all its stakeholders around a shared ambition.”
Cazenave, who also serves on the board of directors of the GBTA Foundation, did not give any indication of her next role.
Fanichet, meanwhile, previously served as chairman and CEO of SNCF Voyageurs from 2020 to July 2026 — SNCF Voyageurs is the majority shareholder in Eurostar Group.
“Eurostar is a magnificent company — I know very well the talent and commitment of its staff in serving our customers, the strength of its network across Europe and its power as a global benchmark for travel,” said Fanichet.
“I embrace the challenge presented by this new chapter. We will need to implement the necessary investments and transformations to ensure Eurostar's growth within a competitive landscape.”
Eurostar is set to face competition on its routes from London to continental Europe in the coming years, with Virgin Trains and Trenitalia’s owner FS Group bidding to start services on these routes.