The Qantas Group announced two changes to its senior management team, with the appointment of a Chief People Officer and the resignation of its Loyalty CEO. LOYALTY CEO: Ms Wirth has been the CEO of Qantas Loyalty, which encompasses the airline's 15 million member Frequent Flyer program, since 2018. Having overseen significant growth in the business during that time, she will leave in February 2024 to pursue other opportunities.

Under Ms Wirth's leadership, Loyalty expanded its presence in hotels, holidays, insurance and financial services, as well as adding 3 million members and delivering record earnings. Over her 14 years at Qantas, Ms Wirth has made a tremendous contribution in a number of senior roles, including Chief Customer Officer and Group Executive for Brand, Marketing and Corporate Affairs. CHIEF PEOPLE OFFICER: As flagged in June 2023, the revised Qantas Group management team structure includes a dedicated role of Chief People Officer, reporting to the Group CEO.

After an extensive search, Catherine Walsh has been appointed to this role and will bring 25 years' experience in human resources and industrial relations across similarly large and complex organisations, including Australia Post, Downer and Spotless. Most recently, she has been a member of the new leadership team driving cultural change at PWC. In this new role, Ms Walsh will help drive a stronger relationship between Qantas and its 25,000 employees, as well as with the unions that represent them.

This function will also help lead the recruitment of thousands of new roles across the Group in coming years as it takes delivery of new aircraft and returns to growth. Ms Walsh will start in January 2024.