From ABC
Richard Goyder to retire as Qantas chairman ... next year
By David Chau
Qantas has revealed that its chairman Richard Goyder will retire before the company’s annual general meeting in late 2024.
The airline says a number of other board members will retire throughout the next year “in recognition of the reputational issues facing the Group and to support restoration of trust in the company”.
Non-executive director Michael L'estrange will retire at this year's AGM on November 3.
Jacqueline Hey and Maxine Brenner will retire when Qantas' half-year results are published in February next year.
My Goyder has been under increasing public pressure to leave Qantas, following the departure of former chief executive Alan Joyce.
The company's reputation was hurt in recent years by its poor customer service, frequently losing baggage, late-running and cancelled flights, and sharply increased airfare — while posting a record profit.
Its public standing was damaged further when the competition regulator (the ACCC) sued the airline in court for allegedly selling thousands of tickets for flights that it knew had already cancelled.
In addition, the High Court rules that the airline had illegally sacked 1,700 ground handling staff, under the leadership of Mr Goyder and Mr Joyce (as chairman and CEO).
In late September, Mr Goyder was grilled in a Senate inquiry, but dismissed calls for him to step down.
His decision to leave by next year's annual general meeting in November 2024 (instead of next month's AGM) shows he's continuing to defy public pressure.
Its share price has plummeted by more than 21% in the past three months.