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Former Virgin Australia boss Jayne Hrdlicka will take over as chief executive of retail and hospitality giant Endeavour Group next year.
Hrdlicka, who stepped down from Virgin last month, will receive a fixed remuneration of $2 million per year when she succeeds current chief executive Ari Mervis on 1 January. As CEO of Endeavour, she will oversee a large portfolio of licensed hotels, as well as liquor brands such as Dan Murphy’s and BWS.
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“I have a long history with Endeavourʼs retail and hotel businesses, initially as a consultant to Woolworths, including on their early liquor strategy, and then as a Woolworths Group Board member. Endeavour Group has much to play for,” Hrdlicka said in a statement.
“I look forward to working with the 30,000 team members and together, continuing to deliver for millions of valued customers as we look to grow the company and unlock value for all of our shareholders.”
Mervis, who will continue as executive chairman following Hrdlicka’s appointment, said she “has a proven track record leading consumer-facing businesses to success”.
“She has led many complex organisations and delivered significant shareholder value by capturing the true potential of a companyʼs brands and assets,” he said.
“After an extensive global search, the Board is delighted to have secured such a highly capable leader. Jayne brings many strengths to the role including a history of using deep consumer insights to define successful strategy formulation and execution and extensive business transformation experience.
“The Board believes Jayne is the ideal candidate to lead Endeavour Group through its next phase of both growth and transformation.ˮ
Hrdlicka, who previously led Jetstar and Qantas Loyalty, had succeeded Paul Scurrah as Virgin Australia CEO when Bain Capital bought the airline out of administration in 2020.
Under Hrdlicka’s leadership, the airline struck a deal with unions for a pay freeze to help the airline recover from COVID-19, increased its order of 737 MAX aircraft to help ramp its short-haul international services back up, and overtook Qantas in 2023 as Australia’s most trusted travel brand while posting its first full-year profit in more than a decade.
Additionally, Hrdlicka led the airline through the major deal with Qatar Airways to launch wet-leased flights to Doha, with Qatar taking a 25 per cent stake in the group.
Former chief commercial officer Dave Emerson has now taken over Virgin ahead of a rumoured and long-planned IPO.
