John Mullen (executive)
John Mullen | |
|---|---|
| Chairman of Qantas | |
| Assumed office 26 October 2024 | |
| Preceded by | Richard Goyder |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1955 (age 68–69) Sydney, New South Wales, Australia |
John Mullen (born 1955) is an Australian businessman and corporate executive who is the current chairman of Qantas, since October 2024.
Early life and education
[edit]Mullen was born in Sydney in 1955. He received a Bachelor of Science (BSc) whilst studying at university.[1]
Career
[edit]Mullen began his career in various international transportation and logistics companies.[1] From 1990 to 1994, Mullen began in the corporate world as the chief executive officer of TNT Express Worldwide, based in the Netherlands.[2] From 2005 to 2009, he served as DHL's executive officer, before moving to Asciano between 2011 and 2016.[1]
Between 2016 and 2023, he served as the chairman of Telstra.[2] In this role he attempted to address the reputation of the telecommunications company after significant backlash at the services the company provided. According to the Australian Financial Review, complaints had declined by 70% whilst he was chairman.[3]
In July 2024, Mullen joined the board of Qantas.[2] In October of that same year, he became chairman, following Richard Goyder's retirement. Upon the decision to elect Mullen as chairman, the Transport Workers' Union (TWU) hailed the appointment as a positive direction and calling it a "glimmer of hope" for workers.[4] Since becoming chairman, Mullen has promised to move Qantas away from an advocacy position on social issues, to one based more on corporate responsibility and political neutrality.[5]
Apart from Mullen's executive and corporate positions, he has worked in various roles at the US National Foreign Trade Council in Washington, as well as being a member of the UNICEF Task Force on Workplace Gender Discrimination and Harassment between 2018 and 2019.[2]
References
[edit]- ^ a b c "Our leadership". Qantas Group. 27 October 2024. Retrieved 4 November 2024.
- ^ a b c d "QANTAS ANNOUNCES NEW CHAIRMAN". Qantas. 21 February 2024. Retrieved 4 November 2024.
- ^ Patrick, Aaron (27 June 2024). "Will John Mullen's emotional intelligence work at Qantas?". Australian Financial Review. Retrieved 4 November 2024.
- ^ Thorn, Adam (19 April 2024). "New Qantas chairman will now start on Monday". Australian Aviation. Retrieved 4 November 2024.
- ^ Bonyhady, Nick (13 June 2024). "Big business' Voice advocacy backfired: new Qantas chairman". Australian Financial Review. Retrieved 4 November 2024.