Virgin Australia Group, the parent company of Virgin Australia Airlines, confirmed the resignation of its chief executive Paul Scurrah. The group announced that the new CEO of the struggling airline would become Jayne Hrdlicka, a former boss of budget airline JetStar.
On October 15, 2020, Virgin Australia Airlines confirmed that Paul Scurrah, the current CEO and Managing Director of Virgin Australia, who has held the position for 18 months, would resign straight after Bain Capital, a private equity firm of the United States, assumes the control of the air carrier.
“Over the last 18 months, I have had the great privilege of being the CEO and Managing Director of the Virgin Australia Group. Whilst it has been the most challenging time in aviation history, I have continued to be so proud of the way my team and our entire organization has fought to save this airline and to keep competition alive and well in Australia. We have succeeded in not just ensuring the future of the company, but also reset the business to ensure it is well placed to deliver for Bain Capital for many years to come,“ Scurrah said.
Virgin Australia also appointed the new CEO, Jayne Hrdlicka, who would take up her duties from November 2020. According to Virgin Australia’s announcement, Hrdlicka, who is currently the chairwoman and board president of Tennis Australia, would become the first female CEO of Virgin Australia Airlines. Previously, in the period of 2012-2018, Hrdlicka was the Group Chief Executive Officer at JetStar.
“It is the intention that Jayne Hrdlicka will be appointed by Bain Capital as CEO once the transaction is complete, in early November. Jayne has strong aviation credentials. She is very focused on seeing the business succeed and I wish Virgin Australia well under her leadership,” summed up the current CEO of Virgin Australia.