Velocity Chief Nick Rohrlach departs in management shakeup

[RadioBusinessTraveller]

Interesting.

In the Australian

Virgin Australia has announced a shake up of its leadership team that will see the departure of Velocity chief executive Nick Rohrlach and chief strategy and transformation officer Alistair Hartley.
Mr Rohrlach will be replaced by Andrew Cleary, a former Qantas manager and financial journalist, who more recently led the global customer experience team for luxury hotel brand Mandarin Oriental.

A replacement for Mr Hartley has not been announced, with much of his responsibilities expected to be assumed by airline CEO Dave Emerson.

Article in the Australian

 

[RooFlyer]

Cue the 'forced out due to unpopular Platinum earning changes' and 'Obviously, Virgin is in trouble' comments

 

[Saab34]

I wonder if either will pop up at Endeavour Group.

Here is the new boss for Velocity and his Qantas work.

• 2018 - 2020 Executive Manager - Customer Experience, Qantas Loyalty @ Qantas
• 2016 - 2018 Head of Partnerships and Alliances @ Qantas
• 2013 - 2016 Head of Investor Relations @ Qantas
• 2017 - 2018 Non Executive Director @ oneworld Alliance

 

[simmomelb]

I smell more changes to Velocity in the coming months, for the better

 

[odysseus]

Cue the 'forced out due to unpopular Platinum earning changes' and 'Obviously, Virgin is in trouble' comments

It's merited, but not literally as you stated. Since he came onboard, there has been little progress in membership or partner growth, and has from multiple accounts been a reduction of engagement. Which is not something Qantas has an issue with.

I've been saying since early on that he was not doing good things there, unlike his predecessor Karl Schuster who did build member numbers and engagement massively.

The fact his statement says he's just "prioritising family life" i.e doesn't have anything lined up, while Virgin already have the replacement should tell you all you need to know. Unlike when Karl Schuster left, and there was an interim appointment while a global recruitment search was announced...

 

[Saab34]

I agree with the above, I sort of feel like Velocity has been a bit flat post administration.

They need to invest and fix the digital platforms. They are just shocking.

 

[HS-TQE]

I agree with the above, I sort of feel like Velocity has been a bit flat post administration.

They need to invest and fix the digital platforms. They are just shocking.

IT issues requiring fixing needs to be extended to the main VA booking platforms itself, especially trying to add the booking function for pre-booked hot meals on Short Haul International and perhaps East Coast to Perth flights.

 

[simmomelb]

IT issues requiring fixing needs to be extended to the main VA booking platforms itself, especially trying to add the booking function for pre-booked hot meals on Short Haul International and perhaps East Coast to Perth flights.

I agree, although I am not sure that has anything to do with Velocity management or the Velocity team.

The real food (not junk food) options for Economy are dire IMHO. It's embarrassing.

 

[HS-TQE]

I agree with the above, I sort of feel like Velocity has been a bit flat post administration.

Getting back on topic here, I'd agree the engagement between the Velocity CEO and the FFs has decreased when compared with the predecessor. Even before the now implemented restructure led by him.

 

[simmomelb]

Getting back on topic here, I'd agree the engagement between the Velocity CEO and the FFs has decreased when compared with the predecessor. Even before the now implemented restructure led by him.

Couldn't agree more. And these stupid targeted status offers that barely any of their most loyal flyers are invited to is a total slap in the face to their most valuable customers.

 

[ChrisMars]

I feel, all they had to do is bring in lifetime status, while keeping the old sc earning scheme, to attract more flyer. The could have impose a percentage of self flying (in place of family pooling) for the lifetime tally, but really that would have been a very attractive proposition.

 

[jase05]

I feel, all they had to do is bring in lifetime status, while keeping the old sc earning scheme, to attract more flyer. The could have impose a percentage of self flying (in place of family pooling) for the lifetime tally, but really that would have been a very attractive proposition.

Except that lounges are far too busy.
Needed to weed out some elites but still don’t think they have gone about it the right way

 

[Bagpuss]

Interesting timing, considering I expect a lot of platinum members get downgraded to Gold in 15 days time (28th Feb).

 

[PERLHR]

Except that lounges are far too busy.
Needed to weed out some elites but still don’t think they have gone about it the right way

I agree ..however it still strikes me as very bizarre that one elite...who maybe flying, can turn up at the lounge with up to 5 "non flying guests" and simply have them join them for a drink or whatever and then say goodbye to mummy/daddy and go home. It is frankly ridiculous. Still find it odd that mostly non flying people can clear security at Aussie airports and wander around then decide it's time to go home. Airports after security are crazy enough without that!!

 

[RooFlyer]

Except that lounges are far too busy.
Needed to weed out some elites but still don’t think they have gone about it the right way

Interesting timing, considering I expect a lot of platinum members get downgraded to Gold in 15 days time (28th Feb).

They weeded me out of Plat recently, so I dropped to Gold, but I was happy to see that Gold still gets most of the 'priority' privileges and lounge access. So to lessen crowding in the lounges, they'd have to cut the Gold numbers too. That would be a big deal!

 

[Edge]

I got a velocity survey in my inbox last night. Maybe my response was the straw that broke the camels back

 

[henrus]

Except that lounges are far too busy.

Which one can now "buy" with a $440 per year Amex.

 

[simmomelb]

I got a velocity survey in my inbox last night. Maybe my response was the straw that broke the camels back

Was that in reference to the E190-E2 business class for regular passenger flights?

 

[simmomelb]

Which one can now "buy" with a $440 per year Amex.

Which they are fine with, because that is effectively a paid-for lounge membership.
You can buy a yearly VA lounge membership for the same price ($10 difference)
Keep in mind they aren't the same thing, as the Gold and Plat memeberships get you into many other lounges with partners like Qatar, United, Singapore, Air NZ, Virgin Atlantic, which is the main reason I prefer to hold onto my Platinum status (the international lounges are what I personally value the most).
Along with the bonus Velocity points, up to 100% more, depending on which tier and better seat selection options for no extra fee.