Eurostar Names Christophe Fanichet Chief Executive
Former SNCF Voyageurs chief Christophe Fanichet will lead the Eurostar rail operator from December 1, succeeding Gwendoline Cazenave.
Updated on Nov. 2, 2026 in People
Eurostar has appointed Christophe Fanichet as its new chief executive, replacing Gwendoline Cazenave, who stepped down after four years leading the operator. Matthieu Quyollet, the company's deputy chief executive, will serve as interim chief executive until Fanichet takes up the role on December 1.
Why it matters
Cazenave's tenure saw the integration of Eurostar and Thalys under a single brand and a return to sustained growth, with annual passengers reaching 20 million. Fanichet said the company will need further investment and transformation to keep growing in an increasingly competitive rail market.
Gwendoline Cazenave led Eurostar for four years, during which annual passengers reached 20 million under a single integrated brand with Thalys. The extraction does not specify the year-over-year growth rate or the specific investment figures Fanichet's strategy will require.
The players
Christophe Fanichet
Former chairman and chief executive of SNCF Voyageurs who has served on Eurostar's board since 2022 and is now taking over as Eurostar chief executive.
Gwendoline Cazenave
Outgoing Eurostar chief executive who stepped down after four years leading the operator, overseeing its integration with Thalys.
Eurostar
Cross-border high-speed rail operator linking the United Kingdom, France, Belgium and the Netherlands.
The details
Christophe Fanichet, former chairman and chief executive of SNCF Voyageurs, takes up the Eurostar chief executive role on December 1. Matthieu Quyollet will act as interim chief executive until then, and Fanichet has served on Eurostar's board since 2022.
Timeline
Fanichet became SNCF Voyageurs chairman and chief executive in January 2020.
Fanichet joined Eurostar's board in 2022.
Fanichet's SNCF Voyageurs tenure ended in July 2026.
Fanichet takes up the Eurostar chief executive role on December 1, 2026.
Market Landscape
Eurostar's leadership change follows the integration of Eurostar and Thalys under a single brand, which Cazenave oversaw during her four years as chief executive. The handover to Fanichet places the operator under new leadership as it faces intensifying competition in European rail travel.
Passengers on Eurostar's cross-border routes will see the company under new leadership from December 1, 2026, though the extraction does not describe any immediate changes to fares, schedules or services. Fanichet's stated priority is the investment and transformation needed to keep Eurostar growing against competing options.
The takeaway
Leadership transitions at major rail operators often signal a shift in investment priorities, and Eurostar's move to a veteran of French rail management suggests a focus on competitiveness and expansion. Travelers planning cross-border trips should watch for any announced changes once Fanichet takes over.
What happens next
Christophe Fanichet takes up the Eurostar chief executive role on December 1, 2026, when Matthieu Quyollet's interim period ends.
Further reading
Explore more leadership moves in the People section of our business coverage.
