EasyJet appoints cybersecurity and digital specialists to Board

Two new non-executive directors will join the easyJet board on January 1, the airline announced today.

They are Dr Anastassia Lauterbach, who will also become a member of the audit committee, and Nick Leeder, who will become a member of the safety committee.

Lauterbach is a senior technology strategist who brings expertise in innovative technologies, including cybersecurity and artificial intelligence, from her roles across the automotive, telecommunications, financial services and consulting industries, as well as a diverse non-executive portfolio.

As an executive, she held roles at Qualcomm, Deutsche Telekom and Daimler Chrysler. She is currently a non-executive director at Wirecard, as well as NYSE-listed Dun & Bradstreet Corporation, where she also chairs their Innovation and Technology Committee, and is Chair of Censhare, the content aggregator and data insight provider. She also advises on venture capital investments in the areas of cyber security, AI and machine learning.

Leeder is currently a vice president at Google Ireland, its Europe, Middle East and Africa headquarters. EasyJet said he is a highly regarded executive, in a leadership role in one of the world’s leading technology companies and has been at the forefront of digital transformation throughout his career.

He has spent the last seven years leading Google’s businesses in Australia and New Zealand, before moving to France, and now Ireland, where he is currently responsible for the delivery and expansion of Google’s relationship with some of its largest customers across EMEA.

Prior to joining Google, he was at News Corporation, firstly as chief operating officer of News Digital Media and latterly as deputy chief executive of national broadsheet newspaper, ‘The Australian’. Before that he was chief operating officer of newspaper group, Fairfax Digital.

EasyJet chairman John Barton said: "With an increased focus on digital and the use of data as a source of competitive advantage, easyJet is very pleased to welcome both Anastassia and Nick to the Board, both of whom will help support the discussions and decisions of the Board in these areas.

"They bring different perspectives on technology and artificial intelligence with a depth of knowledge across a range of businesses. Both are international in outlook and experience and will further strengthen the diverse mix of approach and skills on the Board. We very much look forward to their joining us and contributing across the full Board agenda, as well as in their areas of expertise."