Qantas names John Mullen as Richard Goyder’s replacement, signalling a ‘new chapter’

The embattled airline has promised a ‘new chapter’ with former Telstra chairman John Mullen to take over the top board seat in place of Richard Goyder.

Qantas has promised a “new chapter” with the appointment of John Mullen as chairman, ahead of Richard Goyder’s early retirement.

A former Telstra chairman, Mr Mullen will join the Qantas board in July and assume the role of chair prior to the annual general meeting in October.

It follows Mr Goyder’s decision to bring forward his retirement by a year, after a series of controversies engulfed Qantas, raising questions about his effectiveness as chair.

Under his watch, Qantas hiked up airfares to drive record profits, made it difficult for travellers to use Covid-related travel credits, illegally outsourced 1700 workers and allegedly sold tickets on ghost flights.

Mr Goyder also gave approval for former CEO Alan Joyce to offload the bulk of his shares with months to run on his contract, and signed off on big executive salaries and bonuses.

In response, an overwhelming majority of shareholders voted down the airline’s remuneration report in a blatant expression of frustration with the board and its culture.

Qantas also announced the appointment of Nora Scheinkestel as a non-executive director and chair of the remuneration committee, from March 1.

Nora Scheinkestel will join the Qantas board from March 1.

The appointments come as long-serving director Maxine Brenner and Jacqueline Hey step down after Qantas’ half year results on Thursday.

Mr Goyder said the selection of a new chair reflected a “new chapter” for Qantas after an “intense period”.

“John brings a wealth of experience as a director and chairman of similarly large and complex companies to Qantas, as well as great depth from his long executive career in the transport sector both here and overseas,” Mr Goyder said.

He described Mr Mullen as the “right choice to lead the national carrier into its next phase” and paid tribute to the “huge contribution” of Ms Brenner and Ms Hey.

“It’s an honour to serve on the Qantas board,” said Mr Goyder.

“The company’s history and purpose make it unique in corporate Australia, and so does the incredible passion of everyone who is part of it. There’s still much work to do, but it is an amazing company with a bright future.”

Current Qantas chair Richard Goyder with CEO Vanessa Hudson at the airline’s AGM in Melbourne in 2023. Picture: Luis Ascui/NCA NewsWire

Mr Mullen is currently chairman of Treasury Wine Estates and logistics company Brambles, and previously served on the board of Telstra, Toll Holdings and Macquarie Airports.

He said he was conscious of the time commitment the role of Qantas chair required, and would be adjusting his other professional obligations accordingly.

“It’s an extraordinary privilege to take up the chairmanship of the national carrier. It is a company that I have admired all my life, and I am greatly looking forward to helping Vanessa (Hudson) and the management team take the company to new heights of service and performance excellence,” Mr Mullen said.

Dr Scheinkestel is also on the board of Brambles, and serves as a director of Westpac and Origin Energy.

Mr Goyder said she was one of the most experienced directors in the country and had a “deep knowledge of regulatory matters”.

The announcement of Mr Mullen as chair was welcomed by the Transport Workers Union, which was preparing to return to court to finalise compensation for illegally outsourced workers at Qantas.

TWU national secretary Michael Kaine said the union worked constructively with Mr Mullen when he chaired Toll Holdings, thanks to his “open door approach to the interests and concerns of the workforce”.

“This announcement is a glimmer of hope for workers forced into the trenches for 15 years by the dictatorial approach of the Joyce-Goyder leadership team,” Mr Kaine said.

“This is the first sign we’ve had that Qantas has finally recognised the task ahead requires a seismic shift in culture, leadership and approach to unionised workers.”

Qantas pilots also reflected on the appointment, saying Mr Mullen had a “large challenge” in front of him.

Australian and International Pilots Association president Tony Lucas said they looked forward to greater accountability at the board level for decisions that affected the travelling public and Qantas staff.

“Mr Mullen, the new board and the Qantas management team owe it to all Australians to restore Qantas to the brand that makes us all proud,” Captain Lucas said.