KUALA LUMPUR (Dec 5): Aer Lingus Plc CEO Christoph R. Mueller has been appointed as CEO-designate of Malaysia Airlines Bhd (MAB), the new entity of Malaysia Airlines (MAS), effective Jan 1, 2015.
Mueller has been helming the national airline of Ireland since 2009. His contract as CEO with Aer Lingus ends on May 1, 2015.
In a statement today, Khazanah Nasional Bhd said discussions are on-going for Mueller to assume the post of MAB CEO at a date prior to May 1, but no earlier than March 1, 2015.
MAB is planned to commence operations on July 1, 2015.
A German citizen, Mueller brings more than 25 years of relevant experience in the aviation, logistics and tourism sectors to MAS.
"Overall, he has around 10 years as a chief executive in divisional and group roles in the airlines sector, as well as extensive board room experience, including in the travel sector," said Khazanah.
"Among his key accomplishments, Mueller has demonstrated particular strength in strategic and financial planning, as well as structural repositioning of companies in difficulties. This includes implementing change programmes and adopting new technology, distribution and retail solutions decisively," it added.
At Aer Lingus, in the last four-and-half years, Mueller has turned around the loss-making airline within a year, in a declining Irish market and tepid European market conditions.
"Aer Lingus’ sustainable profitability and cash generation are built on a new strategy and business model that has enabled the 78-year-old carrier to compete in a difficult market environment with both traditional legacy airlines and low-cost carriers. It has also developed Dublin to become one of the leading hubs for North Atlantic long-haul traffic," said Khazanah.
Mueller's appointment is part of key initiatives under Khazanah's 12-point MAS Recovery Plan and was deliberated and resolved at the meeting of Khazanah's board of directors chaired by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak yesterday.
Khazanah managing director Tan Sri Azman Mokhtar said the board in its deliberations took into consideration the critical nature of the MAS restructuring, which "requires absolutely the best aviation management expertise, and in particular, those with a strong track record of turning around national flag carriers. An extensive global search was undertaken that covered both international and local Malaysian talent".
“Christoph is the best candidate, and he has two equally important tasks: to lead the turnaround of our national carrier and to build local succession,” he added.
The state investment fund, which owns 69.37% of MAS, also announced four other leadership appointments under its 12-point recovery plan for MAS.
Apart from Mueller, Celcom Axiata Bhd CEO and director Datuk Seri Mohammed Shazalli Ramly has also been nominated to the MAS Board as non-executive director.
Meanwhile, Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd advisor Tan Sri Bashir Ahmad Abdul Majid has been appointed as chairman of the the Corporate Reskilling Centre (CRC), which is scheduled to be launched by April 1, 2015.
Shahryn Azmi has been appointed as CEO, while Datuk Boonler Somchit as its non-executive director and advisor. All the appointments will be effective Jan 1, 2015.
Shahryn is currently Asia director and partner at Jack Rouse Associates, a global leader in exhibition and attraction design, and has held the position since 2009.
Boonler was CEO of Penang Skills Development Centre for close to 25 years until February this year. Prior to that, he held various positions in administration, including at several tertiary institutions of higher learning.
The CRC, together with the Outplacement Centre, is intended to collectively provide reskilling, job creation and redeployment opportunities for employees not migrating to MAB.