Harford leads Virgin's Nigerian start-up
The Virgin consultant who put together the business plan for the group's latest airline start-up has taken the job of running the carrier full time. Simon Harford, Virgin Nigeria's first chief executive, will be based at the airline's Lagos hub.
The carrier hopes to begin domestic and regional operations in the second quarter, with long-haul flights starting by year-end, after raising private capital from local institutional investors. They will have a 51% stake in the company with the Virgin Group holding the balance.
Harford, who is busy recruiting other members of his management team with executive search firm Spencer Stuart, has a pedigree in airline start-ups, having helped British Airways establish Go and German leisure giant TUI create Hapag-Lloyd Express.
MARK PILLING LONDON
Source: Airline Business
