VIRGIN Australia has today confirmed the appointment of Paul Scurrah as its new CEO and MD (TD breaking news) – a decade after he was first mooted as a contender (TD 04 Dec 2009).
The appointment will be effective 25 Mar 2019, the same day current CEO and MD John Borghetti formally steps down from the position after eight years at the helm.
Scurrah’s varied career has included roles with Ansett, Tourism and Events Qld, Flight Centre and the AOT Group, and he is also a former AFTA Director.
He was CEO of Queensland Rail from 2009 to 2011, and CEO of port operator DP World Australia for five years up to last Dec.
Scurrah’s appointment follows an extensive search undertaken by the Virgin Australia Board, following confirmation by incumbent CEO John Borghetti last year that he was planning to step down from his role by the end of 2019 (TD 12 Jun 2018).
“Paul is a highly regarded business leader in Australia and his appointment is testament to his strong leadership credentials which include more than 20 years of experience in transport, logistics, travel and aviation,” said Virgin Australia Group Chairman Elizabeth Bryan.
“Paul’s highly relevant transport and logistics expertise and strong commercial background make him the ideal candidate to consolidate the group’s achievement and continue to build strong momentum into the future,” she added.
Commenting on his own appointment, Scurrah said the opportunity represented an “immense honour and privilege” and that he was excited to meet the team and continue building on the carrier’s success.
Source: traveldaily