Qantas names finance chief Vanessa Hudson as next CEO, becoming first woman to lead the airline

Australia’s flagship provider, Qantas, on Tuesday named its finance chief Vanessa Hudson as its new chief govt officer, making her the primary lady to steer the century-old airline.

Hudson will succeed Alan Joyce, who will retire in November, the corporate mentioned.

Hudson, who joined Qantas 28 years in the past, had held a number of senior roles there, together with chief buyer officer and senior vice chairman for the Americas and New Zealand.

“For the previous 5 years, Vanessa has had a direct hand in shaping our technique as a member of the group administration committee, and her dealing with of the finance and treasury portfolio in the course of the Covid disaster was excellent,” Qantas Chairman Richard Goyder mentioned.

Shares of Qantas opened down 2.5% on Tuesday; the broader index was down 0.17%.

Hudson’s appointment makes her one of many few feminine executives main an airline, together with Virgin Australia CEO Jayne Hrdlicka.

“Vanessa has been market-facing as CFO since October 2019, which may have ready her nicely for the very public position as Qantas CEO,” RBC Capital Markets analyst Owen Birrell mentioned in a word.

Joyce, 56, served as Qantas CEO for greater than 14 years and helped navigate the airline by way of the Covid-19 pandemic, fluctuating gasoline costs, and competitors.

The corporate swung to a document first-half revenue from a loss this yr, as raging journey demand from a inhabitants shaking off years of pandemic restrictions jacked up fares and income.

“This transition is occurring at a time when the Qantas Group is extraordinarily nicely positioned,” Goyder mentioned.

Qantas mentioned Hudson would proceed in her present position till taking on as Qantas’ thirteenth CEO on the 2023 annual basic assembly.

“An announcement on a brand new CFO will likely be made within the months forward,” Qantas added.