As per the media reports, Mike Brown, who is the current Heathrow Airport boss, has been selected for the post of the new managing director of London Underground (LU).

In 2008, Mr. Brown left LU, which he joined in 1989, to join BAA in 2008 when he took over from Mark Bullock who left after delays hit the new Terminal 5.

On Monday, Transport for London confirmed that Mr. Brown will assume office from early 2010 and will take over from Richard Parry, who has been interim managing director since May. It was in the end of April that Tim O'Toole, who had been managing director for six years, resigned.

Mr. Brown was London Underground's chief operating officer for five years until last year; and will require dealing with several difficult problems under his new job. The private contractor upgrading three of the busiest lines, Tube Lines, is dealing with protracted negotiations over the level of funding it needs for seven-and-a-half years from next July.

After Mark Bullock left in the wake of the chaotic inauguration of the airport's Terminal 5, Mr. Brown went to BAA, Heathrow's owner in May 2008.

For the smooth carrying out of the 2012 London Olympic Games, much of the underground work needs to be completed within the scheduled time span.

As per Peter Hendy, TfL's commissioner, "After decades of neglect, the system is literally being rebuilt. We now stand on the cusp of delivering huge improvements for passengers which will enable London's long-term growth and prosperity. Mike will bring all of this to fruition while demonstrating clear value for every pound spent."

(via TopNews United Kingdom. Contributed by Sunil Kumar)