Major detail in Qantas’ CEO appointment

Qantas has announced its first female chief executive Vanessa Hudson will replace Alan Joyce upon his retirement later this year.

Ms Hudson, the airline’s current chief financial officer who has worked with Qantas for more than 28 years, will step into Mr Joyce’s role in November.

She is the first woman to take the role in the airline’s history.

“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,” Qantas chairman Richard Goyder said.

The airline has faced a raft of criticism over the last three years largely as a result of the company’s response to the Covid-19 pandemic which resulted in widespread lay-offs, flight cancellations and staff strikes.

Mr Joyce first took the reins of the role in 2008.

Ms Hudson has had a 28 year career within the Qantas group including as Chief Customer Officer and Senior Vice President across the Americas and New Zealand.

Mr Goyder said she had “a deep understanding” of the business and the qualities of 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,” he said.

“She also led the fleet selection process in 2022 for the renewal of our domestic jet aircraft over the next decade.”

Mr Goyder said her appointment was the result of a rigorous selection process which considered a number of high-quality candidates both internally and externally.

Ms Hudson will continue in her current role as CFO while taking on duties as the chief executive designate and joining the Board until her starting her new role in November.

Her replacement as CFO will be announced in the coming months.

More to come.