Virgin Hyperloop One is getting a brand new leadership. Incumbent CEO Rob Lloyd has left the company after spending three years on point, and is being replaced by Jay Walder, who operated bike-sharing operator Motivate earlier. He is also joining the board of directors, as a member.
Motivate was the largest bike-share company in North America, before it was snapped up by Lyft in July. A seasoned transport professional, he has helped in the modernization of London’s mass transit systems. He has also headed the Metropolitan Transportation Authority in New York as its Chairman and CEO, and served as the CEO of MTR Corporation in Hong Kong.
Speaking about his new role, he said:
I have focused my career on using technology to advance innovation in transportation, so I could not pass up the opportunity to lead the company that has pioneered hyperloop
The mantle of Chairman of the company, which has been left vacant since Sir Richard Branson abdicated last month, is being taken up by Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, chairman and CEO of the United Arab Emirates shipping and logistics company DP World, which is also the largest investor in Virgin Hyperloop One.
Meanwhile, the new leadership is expected to focus on commercialization. This is also good news for India, as the company can be expect to push through with its proposed hyperloop system in the country.The only thing which the Virgin Hyperloop One now needs, is a go ahead and a concession, from the Indian government for the Pune-Mumbai hyperloop project.
