People
October 1st 2014
Hogan handpicks ‘New Alitalia’ CEO and CCO
Sweeping changes have arrived at Alitalia after Etihad Airways’ 49% equity investment in the struggling flag carrier was finalised. Last month Alitalia announced the appointment of Silvano Cassano as chief executive officer (CEO). Read More » A week later the board, led by Etihad’s James Hogan, appointed Ariodante Valeri as chief commercial officer (CCO). Cassano will start his tenure as CEO as soon as the long-mooted deal between Etihad Airways and Alitalia is fully completed, most likely by December 31, 2014. Valeri assumed his duties this month.
Both men have years of experience in senior management roles across a number of industries, but mostly in transportation. Interestingly, Cassano’s latest role was CEO at Italian shipping company Grandi Navi Veloci (GNV), where Valeri was previously GM.
MAS CEO contract extended
Malaysia Airline System Bhd. (MAS) has extended Ahmad Jauhari Yahya’s contract as managing director and chief executive officer by one year, until September 19, 2015. MAS said in August that Yahya would stay on to facilitate a proper handover to his yet to be selected successor. The national carrier is seeking to reinvent itself following three years of red ink and the loss of two aircraft this year. Yahya has been at the helm of MAS since September 2011.
New CFO at AirAsia X
AirAsia X Bhd has appointed Chew Eng Loke as its chief financial officer (CFO) with immediate effect. Chew will report directly to chief executive officer, Azran Osman-Ran, and will succeed Yvonne Abdullah. Ms Abdullah will stay on with the company for an interim period to assist Chew with the transition. Chew is the former CFO of Ogawa World Bhd., an investment holding company with subsidiaries principally involved in health care equipment.
