Investors warned against re-electing Gruen panellist Todd Sampson to Qantas board

The advertising guru has received a pay packet of more than $1.5 million from the airline and concerns are being raised over his role in the brand’s downfall.

An ABC show panellist is the latest target of scrutiny within Qantas’ ranks as an advisory group warns he should not be re-elected to the airline's board.

The executive team behind the national carrier has undergone a significant shake up in recent weeks, starting with longtime chief executive Alan Joyce’s early retirement, the frontrunner for his replacement Olivia Wirth taking a new job at Myer and chairman Richard Goyder announcing his departure.

Advertising specialist and Gruen show regular Todd Sampson has been on the Qantas board since 2015 with his current salary estimated at more than $1.5 million, according to The Daily Telegraph.

Concerns have been raised over adman Todd Sampson’s (left) role in the downfall of Qantas. Pictured here with Gruen show host Wil Anderson and panellist Russel Howcroft. Picture: ABC

Now, governance advisory group Ownership Matters have issued a warning to investors not to support his reinstatement to the board at the next shareholder meeting on November 3.

“Sampson has heightened responsibility for this, despite the board’s collective responsibility, given he has been a director for more than eight years and his background in advertising, marketing and brand management,” the group said in an email sighted by the Sydney Morning Herald.

It comes a few days after unsuccessful frontrunner for the airline’s top job Olivia Wirth announced she would be leaving the company.

Qantas Loyalty chief executive Olivia Wirth announced she would be departing the company on Monday. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Damian Shaw

She drove the growth of the airlines Loyalty program by an additional 3 million members. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Andrew Henshaw

During the announcement of new chief executive Vanessa Hudson in May, chairman Richard Goyder said the board had narrowed the candidates down to just Ms Hudson and the chief executive of Qantas’ loyalty division, Ms Wirth.

She said she was “extremely proud” of what her team had achieved and believed Qantas is an “incredible company and brand”.

“Qantas has been a massive part of my professional life and I’m really grateful for the opportunities I’ve been given over the years,” she said in a statement issued on Monday.

The Loyalty program welcomed 3 million new members during her time with the team.

She has reportedly taken a seat on the board at department store Myer, according to the Australian Financial Review, and will wrap up her time with Qantas in February 2024.