ABU DHABI 9 May 2017: The Etihad Aviation Group Board of Directors yesterday appointed Ray Gammell as interim Group CEO, and confirmed that James Hogan, current President and Group CEO, will leave the company on 1st July 2017.
Consistent with the company’s leadership transition plan, Gammell will assume full management responsibilities from today. Gammell is Etihad Aviation Group’s current Chief People and Performance Officer and has been a member of the Executive Leadership since joining the business in 2009, where he has led the creation of a performance culture across the group.
A parallel handover will occur as Ricky Thirion takes over the full responsibilities of outgoing Group CFO, James Rigney, who also leaves the company on 1st July. Thirion joined Etihad Airways in 2007 and is the current SVP Group Treasurer.
Commenting on the announcement, Mohamed Mubarak Fadhel Al Mazrouei, Chairman of Etihad Aviation Group, said, “Ray and Ricky are experienced leaders and have the complete confidence of the board. Ray will now take full management responsibility for the Etihad Aviation Group, ensuring a coordinated group approach, and continue to advance the strategic review that was initiated by the board in 2016 to reposition the business for continued development in what we anticipate being a prolonged period of challenges for global aviation.”
“We have strengthened our group leadership with recent appointments and are now in the advanced stages of recruitment for a new Group CEO. The board has been very pleased with the calibre of candidates, and we expect to make an announcement in the next few weeks.”
By Sheena Amos