Not yet!
I'd heard that as well Jules (not doubting the rumour), but unfortunately it didn't happen today. I wish him very well, but I wonder if he's waiting until the announcement of the new aviation package to confirm his acceptance of the new job.
Any executive puts his/her career on the line when taking up a new position, so they want to be sure they have a free hand - and are not held back by stupid regulations. In particular, he'll want to be assured about the airline's future (i.e. privatisation) and the whole Shannon business.
He's been involved in the growth of EK since '87, which has seen incredible growth, from a small fleet of 727s and A300B4s/A310s, to the fastest growing major carrier in the world. Hope he can bring this kind of growth (and quality of service!) to EI. Mind you, I think the readies will be in slightly shorter supply.
And I wonder how he'll fare with unions; that'll probably be the major difference.