Dave Emerson named new CEO of Virgin Australia, replacing Jayne Hrdlicka

Jayne Hrdlicka announced she would step down as Virgin Australia CEO a year ago. Now, we finally know who will replace her.

Virgin Australia has finally announced a new chief executive.

Dave Emerson will take over the top job from Jayne Hrdlicka, who announced she would step down from her role just over a year ago.

Mr Emerson has been the airline’s chief commercial officer since 2021.

He will formally assume the role on Friday, March 14, but Ms Hrdlicka will stick around for the next few months to support the transition.

“I will continue the transformation journey begun under Jayne’s outstanding leadership,” Mr Emerson said in a statement.

“The strategy we set as we emerged from administration several years ago is now paying off.

“As we return to long-haul international flying, and innovate our domestic services, we can open greater choice and even better value travel experiences for our customers, including more opportunities to reward them for their loyalty. Importantly, it also creates new opportunities for our team.”

Outgoing Virgin Australia CEO Jayne Hrdlicka. Picture: James D. Morgan/Getty Images

New Virgin Australia CEO Dave Emerson. Picture: Dallas Kilponen

Ms Hrdlicka said management had “detailed plans in place for the next four years” for the airline.

“It is now the perfect time to transition leadership for this next chapter. Dave is an excellent choice to succeed me as CEO,” she said.

“He has proven himself as a strong leader and has been a key contributor to Virgin Australia’s successful transformation journey.

“His breadth of experience will be invaluable to the company and he brings the added advantage of being part of the team that created our blueprint for continued improvement in both profitability and growth.”

US private equity firm Bain Capital acquired Virgin Australia after it went into administration in 2020.

Last week, the Australian Government approved Qatar Airways Group’s bid to acquire a minority 25 per cent stake in the airline.

The deal opens the way for Virgin Australia to lease planes and staff from the Qatari airline and compete on routes to and from Australia and Doha, beginning in June.

Virgin Australia is owned by Bain Capital. Qatar Airways has acquired a minority stake. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Nicholas Eagar

Mr Emerson is a former senior partner at Bain Capital’s ‘sister’ management consultancy firm Bain & Company.

He moved from Texas to Brisbane for the CCO role at Virgin Australia in 2021.

Virgin Australia chair Ryan Cotton said there was a global search for the new CEO.

“Having had the opportunity to work with Dave over the last four years we recognise his unique breadth of commercial, digital and customer experience plus his deep knowledge of Australian aviation,” Mr Cotton said.

“He is well placed to support the strong momentum of the business and ensure the team continues to go from strength to strength.

“Dave has been a core part of the team, developing our plans for transformation and growth of the business, with our team and customers very much at the core. He is well-respected right across our organisation.”

Mr Cotton also thanked Ms Hrdlicka for her “exceptional leadership” and being “tireless in her mission to lead this company back to greatness”.

“We are sad to see her go, and she leaves with our deepest appreciation and gratitude for a job well done,” he said.

Jayne Hrdlicka at Melbourne Airport after announcing plans to be the first Australian airline to offer flights with pet on board. Picture: Alex Coppel

What is next for Jayne Hrdlicka

Reflecting on her time as CEO in September last year, Ms Hrdlicka said the last four and half years had felt like “dog years” but had also been the most rewarding experience of her professional career.

She described getting Virgin Australia back on its feet as “purposeful” work.

“It was also one the most intense and challenging periods you can imagine and I personally love that and thrive in that environment,” she said at the CAPA Airline Leader Summit in Brisbane.

Behind the scenes, Ms Hrdlicka had an extremely difficult time at home.

“It also happened to coincide with one of the most confronting personal experiences you could ever have, in a kind of two pronged way with the loss of my husband to cancer and then the loss of my father,” she said.

“That’s just tough at a time when you’re so consumed in a very purposeful job that you love.”

Ms Hrdlicka is looking forward to a break before figuring out what she wants to do next.

“Given circumstances over the past several years I really need to spend more time with my boys. They are 17 and 19 and anyone who has teenagers [knows] they need you on tap,” she said.

“I really haven’t had the ability to do that when they’ve needed me most so I am going to be available for them.”

Ms Hrdlicka, who is also Tennis Australia chair, added: “Then I have a huge passion for tennis, and so I know I needed a little bit more time there.

“We have some big issues there globally that we need to address, and then we’ll see. That is both exciting and daunting because it’s a journey of possibilities.”

Originally published as Dave Emerson named new CEO of Virgin Australia, replacing Jayne Hrdlicka