John Mullen named new Qantas chairman

[mbell1510]

Qantas is today announcing two new board members, including a new Chairman, as part of its ongoing renewal.
https://www.qantasnewsroom.com.au/media-releases/qantas-announces-new-chairman/
John Mullen will join the Qantas Board from 1 July 2024 as Non-Executive Director and Chairman Elect, and will assume the role of Chairman ahead of the Company’s Annual General Meeting this October.
https://www.qantasnewsroom.com.au/media-releases/qantas-announces-new-chairman/
Dr Nora Scheinkestel will also join the Board from 1 March 2024 as a Non-Executive Director and Chair of the Remuneration Committee.
https://www.qantasnewsroom.com.au/media-releases/qantas-announces-new-chairman/
Both Mr Mullen and Dr Scheinkestel’s positions on the Board will be put to shareholders at the AGM. Mr Mullen expects to reduce his existing professional commitments over time.

https://www.qantasnewsroom.com.au/media-releases/qantas-announces-new-chairman/

Former Telstra chairman John Mullen has been drafted to become the next chair at Qantas, replacing Richard Goyder. Reading his bio in the release. Mr Mullen is certainly racking up the director fees at the moment, considering he is also the chair at Treasury Wine, Brambled and Scyne Advisory.

 

[tdimdad]

Something that caught my eye in the Fairfax Media (SMH / The Age / BT) article was his intent to step away from the other commitments and focus on QF. If he does it, I appreciate the move. QF surely needs a lot more dedicated time from its directors than it's seems to have been getting.

 

[RooFlyer]

Something promising from the story in The Oz:

The announcement of Mr Mullen as chair was welcomed by the Transport Workers Union, which was preparing to return to court to finalise compensation for illegally outsourced workers at Qantas.

TWU national secretary Michael Kaine said the union worked constructively with Mr Mullen when he chaired Toll Holdings, thanks to his “open door approach to the interests and concerns of the workforce”.

“This announcement is a glimmer of hope for workers forced into the trenches for 15 years by the dictatorial approach of the Joyce-Goyder leadership team,” said Mr Kaine.

“This is the first sign we’ve had that Qantas has finally recognised the task ahead requires a seismic shift in culture, leadership and approach to unionised workers.”

Something that caught my eye in the Fairfax Media (SMH / The Age / BT) article was his intent to step away from the other commitments and focus on QF.

Do those stories say 'step away from'? The Oz uses the words adjusting his other professional obligations (which may not be accurate, of course)

 

[SeatBackForward]

>expects to reduce his existing professional commitments over time.

Less time having boozy lunches at the ole boys club?

 

[OATEK]

Change is important, but it will be quite a while before we know if it makes a difference.

 

[TheRealTMA]

Seems to be such a limited pool of apparent talent. Why do we have to have the same chairmen having 3-5 positions. How can they possibly devote enough time to each company to justify the salary they skim from shareholders?

 

[moa999]

Change is important, but it will be quite a while before we know if it makes a difference.

Agreed. The statement from the Unions is interesting, given I don't think Mullen was as friendly in his time at Asciano in Australia and TNT/DHL in Europe.

 

[SeatBackForward]

How can they possibly devote enough time to each company to justify the salary they skim from shareholders?

I think a better question would be - what do they *actually* do???

 

[Amanad78]

Scyne Advisory is the PwC Govt consulting offshoot that was sold for $1