Qantas deputy chief executives (CEOs) Geoff Dixon and Gary Toomey are to become arch-opponents, with Dixon chosen to take the helm of the Australian flag carrier when current CEO James Strong retires next year, and Toomey poached by Air New Zealand (ANZ).
On 13 September, ANZ chairman Sir Selwyn Cushing revealed that Toomey, a Qantas executive director, would become managing director (MD) replacing Jim McCrea, who has resigned. Qantas revealed that Dixon, head of its commercial division for six years, will become CEO next year.
Toomey's departure was sealed first and the two moves are not linked. Toomey was a key player in Qantas' cost-reduction programme and strategic planning.
A New Zealand analyst adds that Toomey has a reputation as a tough operator, and the market is likely to welcome his appointment.
Dixon and Toomey once worked together at Australian Airlines, the former serving as general manager, marketing and corporate affairs until 1990, when he left to take up a similar post with Ansett Australia. He joined Qantas when Strong became MD in 1993, the airline having bought Australian. Toomey became a Qantas director in the same year, after five years with Australian Airlines.
Toomey's former deputy Peter Gregg becomes Qantas' deputy CEO and executive director.
Source: Flight International
