New Virgin Blue CEO is announced!

[Will H]

Virgin Blue has just issued an alert for a conference at 11am this morning in Sydney for a "a significant announcement for the Virgin Blue Airlines Group".

Neil Chatfield, Chairman, Virgin Blue Holdings Limited, will hold the conference. Most past conferences are billed as being held with CEO Brett Godfrey.

http://www.flightglobal.com/blogs/wi...-imminent.html

Both the Oz and Fairfax expect John Borghetti to land the post.

[BradR]

It will be John Borghetti (formerly Head of Operations at Qantas under Geoff Dixon). I assume the announcement has been brought forward following the leaking of this to The Australian today.

[Michael Mak]

Announcement: http://www.asx.com.au/asxpdf/2010030...177rc52cdq.pdf

[Matt Coughran]

http://australianaviation.com.au/bor...be-new-vb-ceo/

Former Qantas executive general manager John Borghetti has been appointed the new CEO of Virgin Blue effective May 8, succeeding the retiring Brett Godfrey.
“We are delighted to have John join us,” Virgin Blue Holdings Limited chairman Neil Chatfield said in a March 2 statement. “He is a highly regarded executive with deep aviation experience and insights, proven strategic capabilities, and strong marketing credentials. Nobody knows the market better and he is passionate about the aviation business.”
The highly respected Borghetti, 54, left Qantas in May 2008 after he was passed over for the Qantas CEO role in preference to Alan Joyce. His 36 year career say him work in a range of commercial, sales and marketing positions, culminating in six years as executive general manager Qantas, in charge of network operations, scheduling and pricing, sales and marketing, crew, customer service, product and brand.
“It’s a great business with a great team and great culture – you can feel the energy in the people and the brand,” Borghetti said in a statement. “The company is in good shape and is exceptionally well placed to build on its strengths and embrace revenue growth opportunities ahead. I look forward to working with the team to create an even more competitive environment for air travellers – domestic and international.”
With his move to Virgin Blue, Borghetti will step down from his current directorships of Piper Aircraft and Investec Global Aircraft Fund.

[Andrew P]

THE QANTAS Group is looking for a new chief financial officer after the surprise resignation today of Colin Storrie less than 18 months in the job.

Commenting on his resignation, Mr Storrie said he had made the decision reluctantly.

wonder what the true story is, will never know probably

Banjo

[Karl M]

Wonder what Borghetti will get for his company car now? Another Porcshe 911?
Or something low cost?

[lloyd fox]

I dont know about his car but he will get JOB SATISFACTION.

[Steve Jones]

To me it is a big signal about where Virgin wants to go. Borghetti was very focussed on product and product quality when he was at Qantas, and I think it signals the fact that Virgin will continue its push upmarket, the expansion of V Australia etc.

Given that Virgin is set for a brand revamp (or even more than that) this year, I couldn't think of a better person to have at the helm.

[lloyd fox]

Well Andrew, Virgin think he is worth the top job and Qantas didnt !!!.

Regardless of the facts or excuses that is the fine line he is the NO 1 man and i think he would be very happy about that.

Cheers Lloyd

[Craig Murray]

This is an excellent appointment and certainly good news for the Virgin Blue group of companies. He has an immense knowledge of the local industry and is similarly well versed on foreign operators and markets.

I suspect that the Virgin Blue of the future will be a little different to the Virgin Blue we know today. Is this a good thing? I dare say it will be.