Virgin creates new board position as it looks to grow
Virgin Atlantic has promoted chief financial officer Julie Southern to the newly created board position of chief commercial officer to drive the airline’s recovery.
Southern has been given responsibility for all aspects of growing the airline including network expansion, trade alliances and driving global revenues through pricing, sales and marketing.
She was previously responsible for reshaping the business and reducing costs during the recession.
Virgin Atlantic chief executive Steve Ridgway said: “This promotion and change of emphasis for Julie will enable Virgin Atlantic to change gear in its recovery from recession.
"Julie’s expertise has enabled the business to steer a course through some very difficult times but now we can utilise her strengths at the front end of the business, driving new relationships, revenues and ultimately our growth strategy.”
Finance director Tim Livett has been promoted to replace Southern as chief financial officer.
By Linsey McNeill
Linsey McNeill
Editor Linsey McNeill has been writing about travel for more than three decades. Bylines include The Times, Telegraph, Observer, Guardian and Which? plus the South China Morning Post. She also shares insider tips on thetraveljournalist.co.uk
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
Phocuswright reveals the world's largest travel markets in volume in 2025
Higher departure tax and visa cost, e-arrival card: Japan unleashes the fiscal weapon against tourists
Singapore to forbid entry to undesirable travelers with new no-boarding directive
Euromonitor International unveils world’s top 100 city destinations for 2025
Cyclone in Sri Lanka had limited effect on tourism in contrary to media reports