The article talks about Mark Dunkerley, who retired from Hawaiian in March. He did amazing things with them, but I expect that Merryn will be the board's pick, despite her relative lack of achievements (IMHO) at the VA group.
Achievments, who needs them when you’re a ‘popular leader’
From the article:
Group executive John Thomas was in line to take the top Virgin job but he departed last year, and Tigerair boss Merryn McArthur has been cited as a strong possibility to take the Virgin Australia job, given her reputation as a popular leader.