Domestic and International CEO’s Lyell Strambi and Simon Hickey to depart.
Qantas has ended the week with a bombshell, just now announcing a major shake-up of several managerial positions as part of its accelerated transformation program, which will see the departures of Lyell Strambi and Simon Hickey, and a revised allocation of roles in a new executive team.
Changes made to the structure will see current Qantas COO Andrew David elevated to the role of CEO of Qantas Domestic, while CFO Gareth Evans will become the new chief of Qantas International and Freight.
QantasLink CEO John Gissing will now report directly to CEO Alan Joyce under an expanded role as Group Executive Associated Airlines and Services. Gissing will remain in charge of the regional arm, also assuming control of Network Aviation and Jetconnect as well as safety, workforce planning and Qantas Ground Services.
Further changes will see current Executive Manager Group Strategy Robert Marcolina become Group Executive Strategy, Transformation & IT and Qantas Deputy CFO Tino La Spina will become Group Chief Financial Officer, Qantas Group, assuming the former duties of Gareth Evans.
The roles of six other members of the Executive Team – Andrew Finch, Lesley Grant, Jayne Hrdlicka, Andrew Parker, Jon Scriven and Olivia Worth – are unchanged, with the entire team remaining under the leadership of Qantas Group CEO Alan Joyce.
The carrier will begin the transition early next year, with all changes in place and operating by Mar.
Joyce praised Strambi and Hickey for their contributions, saying both had “helped build a stronger Qantas”. He said they had steered their respective divisions through tough market environments, overseeing turnarounds while making “significant improvements to the customer service and cost base”.
“This new executive team will lead this work forward to deliver for our customers, shareholders and employees according to the strategy we have laid out,” Joyce added.
More information in Monday’s edition of Travel Daily.