Virgin CEO Jayne Hrdlicka has announced she will be stepping down from her role.
The airline boss made the announcement on Tuesday afternoon, saying it was not an easy decision and she was ‘honoured’ to have led the team for the last four years.
‘I have decided the time is right for me to signal CEO transition for this great airline and ultimately to pass the baton on,’ she said.
‘This is not a decision I have taken lightly, but the last four years have been heavy lifting across the organisation during the toughest of times.’
It is unclear when will be her final day in the top job.
Her resignation came as Virgin announced a return to profitability over the 2023 financial year and a ‘strong’ first half of the 2024 financial year.
Jayne Hrdlicka, the chief executive of Virgin , has announced she is stepping down from her role
‘After nearly four years of intensive work and transformation since the dual challenges of Administration and the onset of Covid-19, Jayne has decided that now is the right juncture to ensure that succession is in place to see the company through a future IPO and beyond,’ the airline said in a statement.
‘The Board of Virgin will shortly commence a global search process for a new CEO.’
Ms Hrdlicka has led the airline since it was bought out of voluntary administration by Bain Capital in 2020 for $3.5billion amid struggles during Covid.
Ms Hrdlicka has led the airline since it was bought out of voluntary administration by Bain Capital in 2020 for $3.5billion amid struggles during Covid
‘I am very proud of what the Virgin team have accomplished together since the depths of administration and the Covid-19 pandemic,’ she said.
Virgin, ‘s second largest airline, has announced a profit for the first time in 11 years.
‘Jayne has led Virgin through the most turbulent times of its 20+ year history,’ the airline’s Chairman Ryan Cotton said.
‘Her leadership was fundamental to repositioning the airline back to its roots as a value carrier, returning Virgin to profitability for the first time in 11 years.
‘The Board and I respect Jayne’s decision and know she is very committed to ensuring our continued success.’
Ms Hrdlicka was also the CEO of Jetstar from 2012 to 2017, and worked for Qantas.
She is also the President and Chair of Tennis .
More to come
Ms Hrdlicka is seen with n model Elle Macpherson at the n Open