IN DISCUSSIONS: Company to announce management line-up before July next year, says source
MALAYSIA Airlines Bhd (MAB), a company specially incorporated to take over national carrier Malaysia Airlines (MAS), is expected to unveil its senior management team before chief executive officer (CEO)-designate Christoph Mueller makes his way to Malaysia to helm the new company (NewCo) early next year.
Business Times understands that the company will announce the management line-up before July next year.
Khazanah Nasional Bhd is currently identifying the suitable candidates to make up the new management team.
“We are in constant contact with Mueller as he must have a say in the selection of the management team. Currently, the team is not in place yet but we will discuss with him so that he can give the green light,” a person familiar with the matter told Business Times yesterday.
The current MAS senior management comprises group CEO Ahmad Jauhari Yahya, commercial director Dr Hugh Dunleavy, operations director Captain Izham Ismail, chief restructuring officer Mohd Nadziruddin Mohd Basri and finance director Mohd Sukri Husin.
Others are customer service director Datuk Mohd Salleh Ahmad Tabrani, human resources director Zahrah Zaid, MAS Aerospace and Engineering CEO Azhari Mohd Dahlan, Firefly CEO Ignatius Ong, MASwings CEO Captain Ritzerwan Rashid, acting MASkargo CEO Ahmad Luqman Mohd Azmi and acting corporate services director Datuk Merina Abu Tahir.
Last week, Khazanah announced Mueller’s appointment as MAB’s CEO-designate as well as its non-executive director.
The board of the NewCo includes Celcom Axiata Bhd CEO Datuk Seri Shazalli Ramly, while sourceMalaysia Airports Holdings Bhd adviser Tan Sri Bashir Ahmad Abdul Majid will be the chairman of MAS Corporate Reskilling Centre.
The appointment of Mueller, who is the current CEO of Ireland’s Aer Lingus Plc, comes into force on January 1 although his contract with his employer ends on May 1 next year.
“Discussions are ongoing for Mueller to assume the post of MAS NewCo CEO at a date prior to May 1 but no earlier than March 1,” Khazanah said in a statement last week.
MAB is targeted to commence operations on July 1 next year.