Qantas exec walks
Successor to CEO now up in the air
THE line-up of executives to replace Qantas Airways chief Alan Joyce has become slimmer following the surprise departure of the Flying Kangaroo’s international boss.
Qantas has announced the chief of its international division Alison Webster has resigned after less than 18 months in the high-profile role.
Shares in Qantas dropped by more than 1.5 per cent yesterday.
Heading the international arm is considered one of the most challenging jobs at Qantas given the level of global competition.
The departure also comes as Qantas weighs up buying a new generation of aeroplanes that can fly non-stop from the east coast of Australia direct to London and New York by 2022.
Ms Webster had been viewed as a potential candidate to eventually replace Mr Joyce who will mark 11 years as chief in November.
That is an unusually long period for a chief in modern corporate Australia.
Mr Joyce, who had overseen a remarkable turnaround in the fortunes of the Flying Kangaroo, has said he wants to lead Qantas at least until the airline’s centenary celebrations in late 2020.
Ms Webster, who took on the international role in November 2017, had spoken openly about her desire to one day take on the airline’s top job.
Her departure follows former Jetstar chief Jayne Hrdlicka leaving from heading up Qantas’s loyalty program to run dairy group A2 Milk Company in late 2017.
Ms Hrdlicka had also been viewed as a leading candidate to replace Mr Joyce.
That leaves Jetsar chief Gareth Evans as the front runner to take over the running of one of the nation’s most iconic brands.
Former Wesfarmers chief Richard Goyder took over as chair of Qantas late last year.
Profit at the international division fell 60 per cent to $90 million in the six months to December compared to the same period a year earlier, Qantas reported in February.
The drop was attributed to a $219 million increase in the cost of fuel.
Qantas did not provide any details around the reasons for Ms Webster’s departure. But in an email to staff, Mr Joyce said her resignation came at a time when the international division was showing improvement.
“There is a lot of positive momentum in Qantas International at the moment, as there is across the Group, and I appreciate everyone’s continued hard work to support this,” Mr Joyce said in the email.
“We wish her (Ms Webster) well in the future.”
Qantas said former international chief financial officer Narendra Kumar had taken over Ms Webster’s role.
Mr Kumar has most recently been overseeing planning for key changes to the airline’s long-haul fleet.
Ms Webster’s final day at Qantas will be on April 24.
Shares in Qantas gave up 1.6 per cent yesterday to close at $5.65.