EasyJet has started looking for a new chief financial officer to replace Chris Kennedy, who is leaving to take up the same role at Arm Holdings.
Kennedy, whose contact states he must serve a notice period of a year, is replacing Tim Score at software company Arm.
He has been a member of the airline’s board since 2010, and previously worked at EMI.
The airline said: “Chris will continue with his existing responsibilities until a successor has been secured. The search for his successor will now commence.”
Kennedy said the decision to leave easyJet was a difficult one but added: “The opportunity to work for Arm in a sector in which I have had a long held interest is the right move for me at this time.”
The budget airline’s chief executive Carolyn McCall said: “Having joined easyJet on the same day and worked with Chris for nearly five years I will be sorry to see him leave. On behalf of all the easyJet team, we wish him well in his exciting new global role at one of the world’s leading technology companies.”
Simon Segars, Arm’s chief executive, said: “I am delighted to welcome Chris as CFO. His global experience in building great businesses will be very valuable as we execute our strategy of investing in technology for long term growth.”