- Qantas (QAN) announces chief financial officer Vanessa Hudson will take on the role of CEO when current long-serving chief Alan Joyce quits in November
- QAN Chairman Richard Goyder says Ms Hudson “has a deep understanding of the business” and is “an outstanding leader”
- She first joined Qantas in 1994, having held a variety of senior commercial, customer and finance roles across the group
- Mr Joyce says it’s a “logical time” to step down after 15 years as Qantas Group CEO
- Shares in QAN are down 2.67 per cent to $6.56 at 10:36 am AEST
Qantas (QAN) has confirmed chief financial officer Vanessa Hudson will take on the role of CEO when current long-serving chief Alan Joyce quits in November.
The nation’s largest domestic and international airline said Ms Hudson had held a number of executive positions across the group for more than 28 years, making her the ideal replacement to take over when Mr Joyce retired in November this year.
Qantas Chairman Richard Goyder said the appointment of its 13th CEO in 103 years came following a “rigorous selection process”.
“Vanessa has a deep understanding of this business after almost three decades in a range of roles both onshore and offshore, across commercial, customer and finance,” Mr Goyder said.
“She has a huge amount of airline experience and she’s an outstanding leader.
“For the past five years, Vanessa has had a direct hand in shaping our strategy as a member of the Group Management Committee, and her handling of the finance and treasury portfolio during the COVID crisis was outstanding,” Mr Goyder added.
While continuing in her role as CFO and also CEO-elect until the 2023 AGM, Ms Hudson expressed her gratitude at being named as Mr Joyce’s successor.
“This is an exceptional company full of incredibly talented people, and it’s very well positioned for the future,” she said.
“My focus will be delivering for those we rely on and who rely on us — our customers, our employees, our shareholders and the communities we serve.”
Mr Goyder praised Mr Joyce, who will hand over the reins after 15 years as Qantas Group CEO, for his time in charge.
“Much of the credit for the bright future in front of Qantas goes to Alan,” he said.
“He’s faced more than his fair share of challenges as CEO and he’s managed them exceptionally well — from the GFC, to record oil prices, to intense competitive pressures and the COVID crisis.”
In light of the news, Mr Joyce said the time was right to step away.
“At the board’s request, I extended my time as CEO to see through the COVID recovery
plan, so now that we’re on the other side of that crisis, it’s a logical time for me to step down,” he said.
“There’s still a lot I want to deliver in the next six months and at the top of that list is ensuring a smooth handover to Vanessa, who I’m sure will excel in the role.”
Shares in QAN were down 2.67 per cent to $6.56 at 10:36 am AEST.
