SYDNEY: Vanessa Hudson was named chief financial officer of Australia's Qantas Airways Ltd. on Tuesday, making her the first woman to lead the century-old airline.
Alan Joyce is the longest-serving CEO of a major Australian company and a towering figure in the global aviation industry. Hudson will take over from him in November.
Hudson's arrangement makes her one of a handful of the female chiefs driving a significant organization in Australia, despite the fact that rival transporter Virgin Australia likewise has a lady President, Jayne Hrdlicka.
In her first news conference as CEO designate, Hudson told reporters, "I come with a very deep understanding of this organization."
"I believe that the experience that I've had, and furthermore as of late, in overseeing through Coronavirus, places me strategically positioned to advance search as far as the speculations that are all approaching with new airplane, yet additionally proceeding to put resources into our clients," she said.
Qantas Executive Richard Goyder said Hudson's treatment of the money and depository portfolio during the Coronavirus emergency was extraordinary, putting her in front of very nearly 40 up-and-comers around the world that the carrier had short-recorded for the gig.
Qantas shares were down 2.4% on Tuesday against a more extensive market decline of 0.25%.
RBC Capital Markets analyst Owen Birrell wrote in a note, "Vanessa has been market-facing as CFO since October 2019, which will have prepared her well for the very public role as Qantas CEO."
Hudson joined Qantas a long time back and plays held a few senior parts there, including CFO, boss client official and senior VP for the Americas and New Zealand.
Despite the fact that men still hold the majority of top executive positions in Australian-listed businesses, a growing number of high-profile CEO positions, including the No. 1 investment bank, Macquarie Group, Telstra Corp., the leading telecommunications company, Woodside Energy, and AMP Financial Services
Hudson stated that leading the airline made her proud.
"On a personal note, I have two young daughters, 21 and 18, and I've always wanted to lead by example," she said. "It was incredibly meaningful to me to listen to their reflections last night."
Plans for Success Joyce, 56, led Qantas for 14 turbulent years as CEO, guiding the airline through the COVID-19 pandemic, shifting fuel prices, and increased competition.
During the pandemic, the airline suffered from a reputational crisis as a result of flight cancellations, job cuts, and accepting government funding.
Hudson stated that the airline has been working to regain customers' trust. However, she faces challenges in establishing relationships with the unions, with whom Joyce has had a poor and frequently contentious relationship.