What prompted Qantas chairman Richard Goyder's sudden early retirement?
By
VanessaC
- Replies 30
Many have been left scratching their head in confusion when Qantas Chairman, Richard Goyder announced his early retirement from the company despite telling a recent Senate inquiry that there were no plans to step aside.
It also comes after the 63-year-old businessman had accepted a $100,000 pay rise during a turbulent time for the airline, which left a sour taste for some of Qantas’ loyal customers and long-time staff.
In September, a letter from the Australian and International Pilots Association addressed to the new CEO of Qantas, Vanessa Hudson, called on Mr Goyder’s retirement.
The union pushed for a 'cultural reset' and called Mr Goyder’s acceptance of a $100,000 pay rise amid a pay freeze as 'galling'.
However, Mr Goyder backed himself during a Senate inquiry, saying: 'Major shareholders are very strongly supportive of me staying.'
'I would also argue that my history in business has been one of high ethics, looking to create value for all our stakeholders,' he added.
'I’ve navigated a company through the Global Financial Crisis, chaired Qantas through the most existential crisis we’ve ever had as an airline.'
'Right now, the major shareholders and the board feel that I’m the best person to chair the board to navigate us through the current situation.'
Mr Goyder’s total remuneration has risen to $750,000, and it is understood that he has been paid about $2,500,000 since he took on the Chairman role in 2018 after a year on the board.
His retirement comes after the departure of former CEO Alan Joyce and before the airline’s annual general meeting (AGM) in late 2024 for a wider company refresh.
In addition to Mr Goyder, non-executive director Michael L’Estrange and two other board members will step aside in February 2024.
As part of the refresh, three new directors will stand for election—Vanessa Hudson, Doug Parker, and Dr Heather Smith.
Mr Goyder and the board had acknowledged the 'significant reputational and customer service issues' Qantas is currently faced with, saying: 'Qantas has gone through an incredibly difficult period since our operation was grounded during the pandemic.'
'The recovery has not been easy, and mistakes were made. We again apologise for those times where we got it wrong.'
'I have always sought to act in the best interests of Qantas,' he added.
'Measured and orderly succession at [the] board level will support the important work underway led by Vanessa and her new management team.'
'The (Qantas) Group is in a very strong position to overcome its current challenges and deliver for all its stakeholders in the years ahead.'
According to a statement from Qantas, the new directors are expected to have an average tenure of about three years. The airline hopes that this change will provide a 'balance of fresh leadership with necessary continuity'.
However, this was met with pushback from unions.
The Transport Workers’ Union (TWU) referred to Mr Goyder’s retirement as 'an attempt to retire in dignity after presiding over illegal conduct'.
Michael Kaine, TWU National Secretary, has urged Mr Goyder to follow Mr Joyce’s suit within the year, ahead of his planned retirement in the coming year.
'This announcement is an attempt by Goyder to leave in a dignified manner with another year’s pay in his pocket after presiding over the largest case of illegal sackings in Australian history,' Mr Kaine said.
'We need to put an end to illegal conduct being blindly rubber-stamped by a board that fails to scrutinise the CEO, who is treated as their equal by having a place on the board.'
'A fresh start for Qantas governance requires a new board composition that excludes the CEO and embeds a worker representative to avoid the repeat of colossal errors of judgement being repeated.'
Meanwhile, Labor Senator Tony Sheldon, who has previously clashed with Mr Joyce, also called for Mr Goyder’s early departure, saying: 'Meaningful change would be to immediately compensate 1700 illegally sacked ground staff and offer to employ any worker that wants their job back.'
'They should also support closing the Qantas labour hire loophole. Over their tenure, Joyce and Goyder have outsourced much of the workforce to 38 labour-hire companies and subsidiaries in order to drive down wages.'
'This would go some way in repairing the long-term damage to Qantas caused by Joyce and Goyder.'
Members, what are your thoughts on Mr Goyder’s early retirement? Let us know in the comments below!
It also comes after the 63-year-old businessman had accepted a $100,000 pay rise during a turbulent time for the airline, which left a sour taste for some of Qantas’ loyal customers and long-time staff.
In September, a letter from the Australian and International Pilots Association addressed to the new CEO of Qantas, Vanessa Hudson, called on Mr Goyder’s retirement.
The union pushed for a 'cultural reset' and called Mr Goyder’s acceptance of a $100,000 pay rise amid a pay freeze as 'galling'.
However, Mr Goyder backed himself during a Senate inquiry, saying: 'Major shareholders are very strongly supportive of me staying.'
'I would also argue that my history in business has been one of high ethics, looking to create value for all our stakeholders,' he added.
'I’ve navigated a company through the Global Financial Crisis, chaired Qantas through the most existential crisis we’ve ever had as an airline.'
'Right now, the major shareholders and the board feel that I’m the best person to chair the board to navigate us through the current situation.'
Mr Goyder’s total remuneration has risen to $750,000, and it is understood that he has been paid about $2,500,000 since he took on the Chairman role in 2018 after a year on the board.
His retirement comes after the departure of former CEO Alan Joyce and before the airline’s annual general meeting (AGM) in late 2024 for a wider company refresh.
In addition to Mr Goyder, non-executive director Michael L’Estrange and two other board members will step aside in February 2024.
As part of the refresh, three new directors will stand for election—Vanessa Hudson, Doug Parker, and Dr Heather Smith.
Mr Goyder and the board had acknowledged the 'significant reputational and customer service issues' Qantas is currently faced with, saying: 'Qantas has gone through an incredibly difficult period since our operation was grounded during the pandemic.'
'The recovery has not been easy, and mistakes were made. We again apologise for those times where we got it wrong.'
'I have always sought to act in the best interests of Qantas,' he added.
'Measured and orderly succession at [the] board level will support the important work underway led by Vanessa and her new management team.'
'The (Qantas) Group is in a very strong position to overcome its current challenges and deliver for all its stakeholders in the years ahead.'
According to a statement from Qantas, the new directors are expected to have an average tenure of about three years. The airline hopes that this change will provide a 'balance of fresh leadership with necessary continuity'.
However, this was met with pushback from unions.
The Transport Workers’ Union (TWU) referred to Mr Goyder’s retirement as 'an attempt to retire in dignity after presiding over illegal conduct'.
Michael Kaine, TWU National Secretary, has urged Mr Goyder to follow Mr Joyce’s suit within the year, ahead of his planned retirement in the coming year.
'This announcement is an attempt by Goyder to leave in a dignified manner with another year’s pay in his pocket after presiding over the largest case of illegal sackings in Australian history,' Mr Kaine said.
'We need to put an end to illegal conduct being blindly rubber-stamped by a board that fails to scrutinise the CEO, who is treated as their equal by having a place on the board.'
'A fresh start for Qantas governance requires a new board composition that excludes the CEO and embeds a worker representative to avoid the repeat of colossal errors of judgement being repeated.'
Meanwhile, Labor Senator Tony Sheldon, who has previously clashed with Mr Joyce, also called for Mr Goyder’s early departure, saying: 'Meaningful change would be to immediately compensate 1700 illegally sacked ground staff and offer to employ any worker that wants their job back.'
'They should also support closing the Qantas labour hire loophole. Over their tenure, Joyce and Goyder have outsourced much of the workforce to 38 labour-hire companies and subsidiaries in order to drive down wages.'
'This would go some way in repairing the long-term damage to Qantas caused by Joyce and Goyder.'
Key Takeaways
- Qantas Chairman Richard Goyder has announced his early retirement, ahead of the airline’s annual general meeting in late 2024.
- Goyder came under criticism after reportedly accepting a salary increase during a challenging period for the airline, increasing his remuneration to $750,000.
- The Transport Workers Union criticised Goyder’s early exit, describing it as an attempt to retire with dignity after presiding over what they claim is the largest case of illegal sackings in Australian history.