Virgin Australia flies in new chief commercial officer

Virgin Australia flies in new chief commercial officer
By Travel Weekly


Virgin Australia Group has announced the appointment of Dave Emerson as the company’s chief commercial officer.

Emerson (pictured above) joins the airline’s executive leadership team who are overseeing Virgin’s business transformation.

Emerson is currently a senior partner at consulting firm Bain & Company (which is of course connected to Virgin’s new owner, Bain Capital) and has been working with Virgin since last year, leading many initiatives across the airline.

Prior to his recent work with Virgin, Emerson led Bain & Company’s global airlines practice, and has more than 25 years’ experience in the aviation and tourism industries.

Virgin CEO Jayne Hrdlicka said Emerson will be a valuable addition to the airline’s leadership.

“Dave has earned an international reputation for excellence while advising dozens of major airlines in all major geographies globally, and I am delighted he will be joining our executive leadership team,” she said.

Emerson will set and oversee Virgin’s commercial strategy, including revenue management, sales, distribution and marketing. He will commence his role with Virgin effective immediately and will be based in Brisbane.

Emerson will replace Virgin’s current chief commercial officer, John MacLeod, who announced his retirement at the start of the year as part of a mass exec shake-up at the airline.

Hrdlicka said MacLeod has made an important contribution to Virgin and to the global airline industry throughout his career in aviation.

“On behalf of the entire Virgin Australia team, I want to sincerely thank John for the important role he has played and all that he has achieved, and wish him all the best in his retirement,” she said.

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