Ex-Channel Tunnel boss Jack Lemley has been made chairman of the Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA).

The ODA is charged with building the venues, infrastructure and facilities for the 2012 Olympic Games in London.

Lemley was chief executive of the Anglo-French company Transmanche-Link from 1989 to 1993 that built the tunnel. He now runs his own consultancy in the USA.

Announcing the appointment, Olympics Minister Tessa Jowell said the job was one of the biggest business challenges in the world and one of the biggest jobs in the construction industry.

“I am delighted to welcome Jack Lemley to the 2012 team. He will bring a wealth of experience to the task of preparing the ground for the biggest sporting event in the world to come to London," said Jowell.

Lemley described his job as “ultimate task for any businessman, with the ultimate deadline”. 

He added: “This is an opportunity, as well as a daunting multibillion-pound challenge - showing Britain delivering on time and on budget by marshalling the talents of many thousands of executives, specialists and construction workers.

The ODA will come into existence when the London Olympics Bill completes its passage through parliament, expected in the first half of 2006.

The Bill is due to return to the House of Commons in the next few weeks for its report stage and third reading.

Jack Lemley will chair the ODA for an initial four-year term, beginning formally when the Bill becomes law.

He will be joined by a new chief executive, who will be named later this month.

By James Garner

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