Virgin Australia announces mass changes to executive team
Virgin Australia Group has announced several changes to its executive leadership team, as the airline continues to shape its post-administration future under new owner Bain Capital.
Several of the new appointments replace contractors or fill vacant positions.
Lisa Burquest has been appointed as Virgin’s chief people officer, and will join the airline from The a2 Milk Company, where she holds the position of chief people, safety and sustainability officer.
Alistair Hartley, director of strategy at International Airlines Group, will become Virgin’s chief transformation officer; Woolworths Group chief operating officer, David Marr, will become chief financial officer.
Marr will take over from outgoing CFO, Keith Neate, who is to leave the business at the end of March after two stints totalling 10 years with the airline.
Nick Rohrlach, co-CEO of Jetstar Japan, will become the CEO of Velocity, following the departure of Courtney Peterson late last year.
Virgin’s chief legal and risk officer, Dayna Field, has announced her decision to leave the business after more than 13 years. Susan Schneider, who is the airline’s general manager of legal and compliance and joint company secretary, will be promoted to replace Field.
Moksha Watts, vice president of corporate affairs and sustainability at The Arnott’s Group, will become the airline’s chief corporate affairs officer.
Virgin’s chief commercial officer, John MacLeod, has announced his intention to retire and will continue in the position until a replacement is found, and chief information officer Cameron Stone recently resigned from the business to join TEG as its chief technology officer.
Last month, Virgin announced the appointment of Qantas’ Paul Jones as chief customer and digital officer.
The airline also recently farewelled its general manager of sales for Australia and New Zealand, Ann Elliott, who has since resurfaced at Regional Express.
Elliott was one of a number of executives to quietly exit Virgin after Bain’s takeover deal was approved by creditors in September.
Virgin CEO Jayne Hrdlicka (pictured above), who is also still considered a newbie at the airline after Paul Scurrah stepped down, said each new executive team member is a world-class leader with a proven track record and deep experience in aviation or consumer-focused businesses.
“These people deeply understand our market, and they know our customers,” she said.
“Virgin Australia has signalled a return to its mid-market heartland, targeting value-conscious corporate travellers, small and medium businesses, premium leisure travellers, and holidaymakers who are after a great value airfare and better service.
“Our new executive team will be at the forefront of helping our team members to deliver that strategy.
“All the new appointees have a demonstrated commitment to staff, customers and the community and are a perfect fit with the Virgin Australia culture I have come to know intimately over the past few months.
“Today’s announcement underscores our commitment to be Australia’s most loved and best value airline for business and leisure travellers, and to build a strong company that will endure for the long term.
“Our executive team has played a significant role in setting us up for the future, particularly during the past 12 months as the team successfully led the airline through its most turbulent period.
“I thank them all for their hard work, passion, resilience and commitment to Virgin Australia’s success. The foundations they have laid during administration are vital for the next chapter in Virgin Australia’s history.”
Hrdlicka said the airline has made significant changes to the business and has “real momentum “despite the current aviation industry challenges.
“We’ve re-opened lounges in major cities, we’ve matched Qantas’ Frequent Flyer status challenge and included Qantas’ Oneworld partner airlines, and we’ve increased flexibility for our customers with fee-free flight changes as our domestic borders remain uncertain,” she noted.
“While far from finished, we are off to a good start.”
Virgin Australia Group’s new-look exec leadership team is as follows: Jayne Hrdlicka (CEO and managing director), Stuart Aggs (chief operations officer), Lisa Burquest (chief people officer), Alistair Hartley (chief transformation officer), Paul Jones (chief customer and digital officer), John MacLeod (chief commercial officer, retiring), David Marr (CFO), Nick Rohrlach (CEO, Velocity), Susan Schneider (chief legal and risk officer), and Moksha Watts (chief corporate affairs officer).
Virgin’s new executives will join the business over the next several months.
Email the Travel Weekly team at traveldesk@travelweekly.com.au
airline Alistair Hartley Ann Elliott aviation Bain Capital Cameron Stone Courtney Peterson David Marr Dayna Field jayne hrdlicka John MacLeod Keith Neate Lisa Burquest Moksha Watts Nick Rohrlach Paul Jones Stuart Aggs Susan Schneider virgin virgin australia Virgin Australia GroupLatest News
“Dragged to hell and back”: Qantas’ illegal sackings severely impacted workers’ mental health, court told
A court has heard of the extent the illegal sackings had on former employees, including cases of anxiety and depression.
Qantas to increase domestic lounge fees by 17% next month
QF says the hike will recover lost member fees during COVID. TW thinks its absolutely time to leave the big C behind.
17 per cent rise in business volume drives Club Med success in 2023-24 and beyond
What's next for Club Med? We'd guess another all inclusive resort, but what do we know?
South West Sydney Tourism launches Western Sydney Tourism Awards
Penrith's 3 consecutive NRL premierships wasn't enough? The people of Western Sydney could fill the trophy cabinet more!
Scoot’s mega March sale has flights to Athens from $355
With Scoot, travellers can lap up the Parthenon on the cheap! Delving into Ancient Greece has never been so affordable.
Luxury Travel Collection welcomes Ramsgate Travel Services to the group
Ramsgate hopefully to be welcomed to the group with more than just an Eagle Boys party. This is worthy of Domino's!
Hotels vs. Airbnb: Industry leaders at odds over who should pay accommodation levy
There's not as much gore in the Hotels vs. Airbnb saga as there is in Alien vs. Predator, but it's just as thrilling!
Unveiling Austria: The Ultimate Destination for Aussie Adventurers!
Looking for a different country to explore but don't want the name to be all that different? Austria is your saviour!
Kyoto’s cherry blossom guide: The one-stop-shop for exploring the city
It can't top Aussie favourites like the Gum or Banksia tree, but we'll give the Cherry Blossom tree the bronze medal.
Entire Travel Group is giving agents $100 for each Rocky Mountaineer booking
Clients mulling a rail holiday and are set on Europe? Convince them Canada is where it's at with Entire's new incentive.
Mickey Mann relocates to Sydney for expansive sales role at TTC Tour Brands
Mickey's gotten the big promotion while TW has finally fixed its coffee machine! It's all happening in the travel world.
Singapore Airlines revamps premium economy with new menu, amenity kit
Felt Singapore Airlines was lacking "the sauce" (as the kids say). Bolster belief in the carrier's je na sais quoi here.
WEBINAR: Don’t miss the chance to scrub up on England, Scotland and Wales this week
Looking for an excuse to put the feet up for half an hour this working week? Look no further!
Luxury Escapes officially launches its agent hub
Appease your luxury-craving client and score some sweet commission. It's all happening with this new agent portal.
CATO heads to Canberra to discuss the state of travel with Government
Telling someone you're going to Canberra "for work" is a real power move. We've only been for trips to Questacon.
Business Events Adelaide set for 20th Destination SA event
Destination SA turns 20! Hopefully it's not celebrated with vodka cruisers and vapes like most 20th birthdays.
Boeing’s woes delay massive Virgin Australia order
This delay means Virgin staffers will be without that new plane smell, inspiring the TW team to sell it in a can.
Golden Eagle Luxury Trains’ 2024/25 program for Aussies has arrived!
Has this got news got you giddy with glee or feeling a bit 'meh'? Well, it's here for you anyway.
All the winners from the 2023 Qantas Australian Tourism Awards
Somehow missed this news over the weekend? Good thing you're subscribed to our fabulous newsletter!
Qatar Airways CEO unveils ‘Qatar Airways 2.0’
Qatar ushers in '2.0', while TW nurses the Guinness-induced haziness of a Monday after Paddy's Day.
“Airport of the future”: Gold Coast Airport outlines mega plans
What does the airport of the future look like in your mind? If the robots from Wall-E came up then we think alike.
Journey Beyond celebrates 95 years of The Ghan with birthday sale
Do note that today's b'day sale isn't actually The Ghan's b'day. We'd hate for you to get a train's b'day wrong.
Tourism Ireland gets the gang together for Paddy’s Day
'Fill your heart with Ireland' is the campaign name. We prefer fill your stomach with Guiness.
Heritage Expeditions’ new sales manager Australia celebrates appointment with agent famil
He took 11 agents on a trip for his new gig while TW celebrates newbies with a parmi and a pint. Both equal in our eyes.
Uniworld announces S.S. Emilie to sail Europe in 2026
The TW team was once desperate for a river cruise but we ended up at a Uniqlo, not Uniworld. Got a fun shirt though.
INCENTIVE: Double your commission with Inspiring Vacations
Does this news inspire you to flog some Inspiring Vacations trips? Let this article be your inspiration.
Corporate international travel from Brisbane up 30% YOY: Flight Centre
Queenslanders seem keen to go somewhere that actually serves good beer! Sorry, we actually like Great Northern.
44,000 tonnes of sustainable fuel needed to meet decarbonisation targets in EU: CLIA
Much less beans in our diet is what the TW team needs to decarbonise. Though Heinz may shut down if that happens.
Scathing revelations send Boeing’s share price plummeting – Market Check
Poor Boeing. It's just not going. Perhaps soon its brand value will be growing. Until then, it's only faults showing.
The $8 million Government initiative to boost sustainable tourism
Putting $8m into sustainable tourism is a much wiser move than our suggestion of putting it all on black at the casino.
Virtuoso ANZ Forum: Award winners, trends, outlook and more revealed!
The forum was full of Virtuosos! By that we mean travel agents and partners, not Beethoven and Rachmaninov.
“Stressful and humiliating”: Blind disability charity executive abandoned by Jetstar at airport
The poorly treated traveller said this was a failure by the airline to meet its obligation to uphold her human rights.
AmaWaterways opens reservations office for ANZ agents
AmaWaterways has someone for you to yak to! It's meant for reservations but we're sure chit chat is also welcome.
IHG hits 1,000 APAC properties, signals bright future ahead
1000 properties is great for IHG but Travel Weekly just got today's Wordle in two guesses! Who's the real winner, huh?
Melbourne bookings up 52% as Formula 1-fever drives racing fans wild
Does Formula 1 drive you wild, to insanity or round the bend? Regardless, it's driving travellers to Melbourne.
Three-quarters of Aussies plan up to 3 trips this year: AMEX
75% of Aussies are keen on a hat-trick this year! Should make up for never getting one in cricket as a kid.