Qantas Chairman Richard Goyder quits after CEO Alan Joyce resigned

Qantas chairman Richard Goyder has announced he will step down next year, while apologizing for ‘mistakes’ made by the national airline.

The airline said Mr Goyder would retire before the AGM at the end of 2024.

The chairman said the Qantas Board recognized the ‘significant reputational and customer service issues’ facing the airline.

“Qantas has been through an incredibly difficult period since our operations were halted during the pandemic. Recovery has not been easy and mistakes have been made,” he said.

Qantas chairman Richard Goyder has announced he will step down next year as he apologizes for ‘mistakes’ made by the national carrier.

“We again apologize for those times when we were wrong. I have always sought to act in the best interests of Qantas.

“Judicious and orderly turnover at Board level will support the important work being done, led by Vanessa and her new leadership team.

In essence, the Group is in a very strong position to overcome its current challenges and deliver for all its stakeholders in the years to come.

Goyder’s resignation comes a month after CEO Alan Joyce stepped down. Mr Joyce brought up his planned retirement two months ago.

Last month, Qantas bosses were grilled at a parliamentary committee that heard Australians would have benefited from cheaper tickets until Christmas if the government had not blocked competitor Qatar Airways from adding 28 more routes.

The parliamentary committee examined what role Qantas played in the transport minister’s decision to reject Qatar Airway’s application.

Goyder, who previously led Wesfarmers during the 2008 global financial crisis, has seen growing calls from pilots and shareholders for him to step down.

Qantas chairman Richard Goyder and new CEO Vanessa Hudson appeared before the committee to address the growing criticism while Mr Joyce was overseas.

Goyder, who previously led Wesfarmers during the 2008 global financial crisis, has seen growing calls from pilots and shareholders for him to step down.

However, he had assured the committee he was the right person to lead Qantas forward and believed he had the confidence of ‘major shareholders’.

“I had meetings with our major shareholders two weeks ago, and they strongly support me to stay, and I would also argue that my history in business has been one of high ethics, seeking to create value for all stakeholders. ours,” he said.

He added that neither he nor any other Qantas board member had lobbied the government to block Qatar Airways’ application for more flights.

More to come