Former Flight Centre exec appointed Virgin Australia’s new CEO

By Alexandra Coulton

Virgin Australia has named Paul Scurrah as its new chief executive officer and managing director following an extensive global search.

“Paul is a highly regarded business leader in Australia and his appointment is testament to his strong leadership credentials which include more than 20 years’ experience in transport, logistics, travel and aviation,” Elizabeth Bryan, Virgin Australia’s group chairman, said.

“The board received enormous interest in the role both locally and internationally and Paul’s highly relevant transport and logistics expertise, and strong commercial background make him the ideal candidate to consolidate the Group’s achievements and continue to build momentum into the future.

“Paul inherits a strong business and we are confident he is well placed to deliver the next phase of the Group’s strategy.”

Current CEO and managing director, John Borghetti, will step down from his role on 25 March.

Paul Scurrah

Bryan said Borghetti has been a dedicated and talented CEO and managing director for the group for the past eight years.

“He pioneered a major transformation in the aviation industry to reposition the airline as a formidable competitor across all segments of the market,” she said.

“John has made a significant mark on the aviation industry as a whole and Australian travellers have benefited because of his commitment and dedication to improving airline travel.

“The board and I are grateful for his leadership and transformation of the airline into the diversified group that it is today.”

Scurrah said leading the Virgin Australia Group is an immense honour and privilege.

“The group has positioned itself as a real competitor in the market with its ability to deliver all segments and I am excited to be joining such a progressive and innovative business,” he said.

“I look forward to meeting the team and building on the groups success.”

Scurrah officially commences his role on 25 March 2019 and will also join the VAH board as an executive director.

He resides in Brisbane and will divide his time between the Virgin operational headquarters in Brisbane and the group’s corporate headquarters in Sydney.

With more than 20 years’ leadership experience under his belt, Scurrah served as CEO and managing director of DP World Australia for the past 5 years.

He began his aviation career at Australian Airlines and has also held positions at Qantas, Ansett Australia and was a key figure in the establishment of Regional Express (Rex).

During his time at Flight Centre, Scurrah was responsible for developing their global strategic plan and acquiring the online company that propelled the agency to the number one travel site at the time.

He is currently a non-executive director of Gold Coast Football Club and has previously held board positions at Australia Post, Asian Terminals Inc, Australian Federation of Travel Agents, AOT Group, Australian Tourism Data Warehouse LTD and public transport group – Australian Railway Association.

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Latest comments

Ian McIntosh says:

February 6, 2019 at 9:44 am

Can’t believe it has taken the board this long to get new blood at the top. not exactly the high flyer I was anticipating would get the job – not even from the aviation industry – but obviously it is not se easy to find candidates with a proven record in rescuing an airline that has been going nowhere from day one. The board has made one glaring mistake – hopefully this is not a repeat.

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