Alan Joyce’s surprising next move revealed
Former Qantas CEO Alan Joyce has kept a low profile since leaving the national carrier in controversial circumstances two years ago but he’s getting ready to step back into the public eye.
National
Don't miss out on the headlines from National. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Alan Joyce will step back into the public eye after signing on to become a global keynote speaker.
According to a report in Australian Aviation, the former Qantas CEO has been made available for speaking appearances through several companies, including Saxton, Keynote Entertainment, and Ovations.
His first appearance will come in Sydney at the LGBTQIA+ Summit on August 14. ARIA Award-winning singer Anthony Callea and comedian Joel Creasy will also appear on the line-up at the event. Ticket prices for the four-day summit have not been publicly revealed.
Mr Joyce, who left Qantas in controversial circumstances in 2023, has largely stayed out of the public eye over the past two years, giving only one major interview to the Our Future Skies podcast last year ahead of the release of Joe Aston’s The Chairman’s Lounge.
“During his tenure, Alan guided Qantas through some of its most challenging times, including the global financial crisis, the 2011 union dispute, and the COVID-19 pandemic,” reads Mr Joyce’s bio on Saxton’s website.
“His strategic vision and innovative approach led to Qantas becoming one of the most successful and profitable airlines in the world.
“Alan’s contributions to the aviation industry and his unwavering commitment to diversity have been honoured with him being named as a Companion of the Order of Australia (AC) and a Fellow of the Royal Aeronautical Society.”
His Ovations bio, meanwhile, describes him as “a pioneer in aviation” and “a gifted public speaker”.
“Alan combines sharp business acumen with engaging Irish storytelling, delivering powerful insights on leadership, innovation, resilience, and transformation. Whether in a formal keynote or interactive Q&A, he captivates audiences with compelling anecdotes from his distinguished career,” it reads.
His speaker bios also seem to confirm rumours the former Qantas boss writing a memoir to be released next year. Last month, the Australian Financial Review reported Mr Joyce’s “colourful new agent”, Robert Joske, confirmed he was talking to book publishers about his “star client” penning a book. “There’s a lot of interest from publishers,” said Mr Joske.
Mr Joyce has kept a low profile since leaving the top job at Qantas, telling people he had “retired”.
He received a whopping $23 million-dollar payout when he left Qantas. The Dublin-born Joyce has been spending time in his home country of Ireland where his mother and siblings live.
In late March he attended the opening night in Melbourne of his good friend, fashion designer Martin Grant’s exhibition at the Ian Potter Centre for the NGV.
When asked if he had any work on the horizon, “I’m retired as you know,” he said. “I have a few projects but am trying not to take on too much.”
More Coverage
Originally published as Alan Joyce’s surprising next move revealed
Row after millionaire’s Sydney Harbour death
The former partner of a millionaire businessman who died in a boating accident on Sydney Harbour is embroiled in a bitter dispute over his ashes.
‘Does a 90yo need 500k-a-year?’
As debate rages over Labor’s controversial super tax, critics have taken aim at the eye-watering, taxpayer-funded lifetime pensions paid to former public servants.