A new finance chief is to join Flybe from brewing giant SABMiller.
Philip de Klerk is expected to join the regional carrier later in the year, moving from SABMiller, where he was global head of financial planning and analysis and finance director of its business capabilities programme.
He brings extensive experience of strategic financial development, change management and operational delivery in rapidly evolving businesses, the airline said.
The appointment follows Andrew Knuckey’s decision, announced last summer, to leave Flybe in order to pursue other opportunities. He will remain with the business until August 2.
Flybe chief executive Saad Hammad said: “On behalf of everyone at Flybe, I’d like to thank Andrew Knuckey for his considerable efforts on behalf of the group over the past nine years: in particular, he has played a significant role in implementing our turnaround plan and setting us on the path to profitable growth.
“Andrew is held in great affection by his colleagues at Flybe for his humanity, passion and sense of fun and he leaves with everyone’s very best wishes for the future.
“We are absolutely delighted to have attracted someone of Philip de Klerk’s calibre and welcome him on board.
“He has a blue-chip finance and management pedigree and he will bring a wealth of relevant experience, especially from his time at consumer focused companies and in international markets.
“Philip’s arrival will significantly strengthen and broaden the senior management team as we implement our strategy to deliver and grow a sustainably profitable business and I know he shares our ambition and excitement for the future.
“Philip is discussing an earlier exit date with SABMiller and we look forward to him joining us on the fastest timing possible but certainly no later than November 1.”