Former Rio Tinto Ltd chief executive Leigh Clifford will take the chair of Qantas Airways Ltd when current chair Margaret Jackson steps down in November, the airline has announced.
Former Rio Tinto Ltd chief executive Leigh Clifford will take the chair of Qantas Airways Ltd when current chair Margaret Jackson steps down in November, the airline has announced.
Mr Clifford will take over from current Qantas chairwoman Margaret Jackson when she steps down in November, following the company's annual general meeting.
Mr Clifford said he greatly admired Qantas.
"I have given the invitation a great deal of thought and am enthusiastic about working with Margaret Jackson, the board and management through a smooth transition period and leading the board as its chairman from November," Mr Clifford said.
Mr Clifford will immediately fill a vacancy on the Qantas board as a casual non-executive director.
Mr Clifford, who was replaced at the helm of Rio Tinto this year by Tom Albanese, will return to Australia permanently in November after completing his commitments with the mining company.
Ms Jackson announced her retirement in May after an $11.1 billion takeover bid for Qantas by the Airline Partners Australia consortium collapsed.
"I am personally delighted to be passing the mantle of Qantas chairman to someone of Leigh's calibre and look forward to working closely with Leigh to ensure a smooth transition on my retirement," Ms Jackson said.
Mr Clifford stepped down from the board of Rio Tinto and retired as chief executive of the mining giant on April 30.
He had worked for Rio for about 37 years.
Mr Clifford also served as a non-executive director of Barclays Bank Plc since October 2004 and was appointed to the Bechtel board of counsellors in May.
Qantas shares closed three cents lower at $5.62 today.
The full text of a Qantas announcement is pasted below
SYDNEY, 9 August 2007: The Chairman of Qantas Airways Limited, Ms Margaret Jackson, today announced that Leigh Clifford would replace her as Chairman of Qantas when she retired at the conclusion of the Qantas AGM in November 2007.
Mr Clifford will fill a casual non-executive Director vacancy on the Qantas Board with immediate effect.
"My fellow Directors and I are pleased that someone of Leigh's international standing has accepted our invitation to join the Qantas Board.
"I am personally delighted to be passing the mantle of Qantas Chairman to someone of Leigh's calibre and look forward to working closely with Leigh to ensure a smooth transition on my retirement," Ms Jackson said.
Mr Clifford stepped down from the board of Rio Tinto and retired as Chief Executive on 30 April 2007.
His executive and board career with Rio Tinto has spanned some 37 years, including positions as Director of Rio Tinto plc and Rio Tinto Limited for 13 and 12 years respectively. Mr Clifford also occupied a wide variety of operational and marketing roles in the coal and metalliferous operations of the Group in Australia and overseas.
"As Chief Executive Officer of Rio Tinto plc since April 2000, Leigh has led the company through a period of significant growth, including a number of important acquisitions and the consolidation of Rio Tinto's position in Asia," Ms Jackson said.
Mr Clifford has served as a non-executive director of Barclays Bank plc since October 2004 and was appointed to the Bechtel Board of Counselors in May 2007. He was formerly a member of the Coal Industry Advisory Board of the International Energy Agency for a number of years and its Chairman from 1998 to 2000. He was also previously a director of Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold Inc.
Mr Clifford holds a Bachelor of Engineering and a Master of Engineering Science from the University of Melbourne.
Mr Clifford said that he was honoured to be selected as the new Chairman of Qantas.
"I have watched the aviation industry and Qantas over the years and have great admiration for Qantas and the team at Qantas. I have given the invitation a great deal of thought and am enthusiastic about working with Margaret Jackson, the Board and management through a smooth transition period and leading the Board as its Chairman from November," Mr Clifford said.
Mr Clifford will return to Australia permanently in November, after completing his commitments with Rio Tinto.
