Virgin Australia Holdings Limited announced a new Executive Leadership Team, simplified organisational structure and an organisational rightsizing program. A new Chief Financial Officer, Chief Commercial Officer, Chief Operations Officer will join the Group as part of a new Executive Leadership Team appointed on August 28, 2019 by Group Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director, Paul Scurrah. Keith Neate will join the Group as Chief Financial Officer on 2 September.

Mr. Neate previously served as Virgin Blue CFO for eight years, leaving the business in 2011. More recently, he held the position of Executive Vice President and CFO of Aurizon Holdings. Geoff Smith has decided to depart the business to explore new opportunities, however has agreed to stay on in a transitionary support role until the end of the year.

Following an extensive global recruitment process, Stuart Aggs has been appointed Chief Operations Officer (COO). Mr. Aggs has been with the Virgin Australia Group for 15 years and has been acting in the role since May. Previously, he held the roles of Director of Group Flight Operations and General Manager Safety Systems. John MacLeod will commence as Chief Commercial Officer (CCO) on 8 October 2019 after a global recruitment process.

Mr. MacLeod most recently held the position of Vice President Global Sales and Alliances at Air Canada and brings with him extensive commercial aviation experience from his time at Virgin America, WestJet, Alaska Airlines and Air New Zealand. Merren McArthur has advised her intention to depart the Group but has agreed to continue to lead Tigerair as it transitions to the new structure in the coming months. She will also continue to act in the CCO role until Mr. MacLeod joins the Group.