Qantas reveals new chairman to replace Goyder

Veteran company director John Mullen has been named to replace Richard Goyder as Qantas chairman.

Qantas revealed the long-awaited appointment this morning, four months after Mr Goyder announced he would stand down amid a turbulent time for the national carrier’s reputation.

Mr Mullen currently serves as chairman of pallet and container company Brambles and ASX-listed winemaker Treasury Wine Estates.

“It is a company that I have admired all my life and I am greatly looking forward to helping [Qantas chief executive] Vanessa [Hudson] and the management team take the company to new heights of service and performance excellence,” Mr Mullen said.

“I am conscious of the time commitment that this prestigious role requires and will be adjusting my other professional obligations to ensure that I can be fully focused on this exciting challenge.

“Qantas has consistently featured as one of the world’s very best airlines, and now that the pandemic is behind us and the airline industry gets back closer to normal, I have every confidence that Qantas will continue to excel.”

Mr Mullen's previous high-profile roles include as chairman of Telstra and chief executive of major transport firms TNT and DHL Express.

Mr Goyder, who has served as chairman since 2018, said the selection of a new chairman reflected a new chapter for Qantas.

“Vanessa Hudson and her team have made progress towards delivering better outcomes for customers, and I’m confident that momentum will continue with the guidance of new board members of such high calibre,” he said.

“John brings a wealth of experience as a director and chairman of similarly large and complex companies to Qantas, as well as great depth from his long executive career in the transport sector both here and overseas. He is the right choice to lead the national carrier into its next phase."

Mr Mullen will join the board on July 1 alongside new board member Nora Scheinkestel, whose director experience also includes time at Telstra and Brambles, as well as Orica, Newcrest, Stockland Group and Westpac.

“Nora is one of the most seasoned company directors in the country, with more than 25 years’ experience on numerous boards across leading utilities, finance and logistics firms as well as her deep knowledge of regulatory matters,” Mr Goyder said.

Mr Mullen is expected to take on the chairman's role ahead of Qantas's annual general meeting in October.

Transport Workers Union national secretary Michael Kaine welcomed the move.

“This announcement is a glimmer of hope for workers forced into the trenches for fifteen years by the dictatorial approach of the Joyce-Goyder leadership team,” he said.

“This is the first sign we’ve had that Qantas has finally recognised the task ahead requires a seismic shift in culture, leadership and approach to unionised workers.

“John Mullen has a track record of the earnest determination and openness required to steer the ship back towards the cherished icon Qantas once was.”

The union touted its positive relationship with Mr Mullen during his tenure at Toll Holdings, in which they described him as having an “open-door policy”.