BA chief to retire
International Airlines Group has announced that Keith Williams will retire as chairman and chief executive of British Airways in April 2016.
He will be replaced by Alex Cruz, who is currently chairman and chief executive of BA’s sister airline Vueling.
In his new role, Cruz will continue to report to IAG chief executive Willie Walsh.
In addition Steve Gunning, the current chief executive of IAG Cargo, will become chief financial officer at BA.
He replaces Nick Swift who is leaving the airline to pursue other opportunities ‘with everyone’s good wishes’.
Announcing the appointments, Walsh said: "It has been a great personal privilege to work with Keith for the last 10 years. Keith is not only British Airways’ executive chairman, he was fundamental to the creation of IAG. IAG is as much his legacy as is his leadership of BA.
"Under Alex Cruz’s leadership, Vueling has become a dynamic, innovative and cost-effective airline and Alex will bring new experience and insight to British Airways.
"Steve Gunning will return to British Airways to support Alex as chief financial officer. He has been highly effective in setting up IAG’s first ever single business unit at IAG Cargo. The business is industry-leading with a ground breaking operating model and cost focus."
IAG said announcements about the new chairman and chief executive of Vueling and new chief executive of IAG Cargo will be made in due course.
Bev
Editor in chief Bev Fearis has been a travel journalist for 25 years. She started her career at Travel Weekly, where she became deputy news editor, before joining Business Traveller as deputy editor and launching the magazine’s website. She has also written travel features, news and expert comment for the Guardian, Observer, Times, Telegraph, Boundless and other consumer titles and was named one of the top 50 UK travel journalists by the Press Gazette.
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