Johan Lundgren will step down as easyJet chief executive early next year and will be succeeded by the company’s chief financial officer Kenton Jarvis.
Lundgren, who will have been chief executive for seven years by the time he steps down, congratulated Jarvis for “being nominated my successor”.
Jarvis joined easyJet in 2021 as a board member and chief financial officer. He will continue in his current role until early 2025 and the search for his replacement will begin shortly, easyJet said.
Lundgren said: “I congratulate Kenton on being nominated my successor, it is fully deserved, and I will work closely with him and the whole executive team to achieve this year’s goals and hand over responsibilities smoothly at the end of the year.
“There are important things still to accomplish over the balance of the year, but when the time comes, I will leave easyJet with a great sense of loyalty and pride at the progress made and the potential the company has for the future."
EasyJet chair Sir Stephen Hester hailed Lundgren’s efforts during his seven-year stint as chief executive, saying: “We are sad that Johan will retire from easyJet. He has done an excellent job since December 2017, steering the company through the immense challenges of the Covid period, and setting up a clear strategy and strong execution plan towards its ambition of being Europe’s most loved airline, winning for customers, shareholders and our people.”
Hester noted how the company was currently seeing “good positive momentum”. “Johan will be with us to close out the current year which we hope will be another one of strong progress,” he added.
Hester explained how announcing Jarvis as the new chief executive would ensure “an orderly and seamless transition”.
“The appointment was made after a thorough process with a strong internal and external field of candidates,” said he.
“We are focused on executing the medium-term plan and related financial targets set out earlier this year and see Kenton as the ideal person to lead our executive team to that end.
“He has impressed since joining easyJet in 2021 and has fully bought in to the plan. He will hit the ground running."
Jarvis added: “I am a huge believer in the future for our airline, which is powered by the talents and enthusiasm of our frontline staff. I will be immensely proud to lead our teams to fulfil easyJet’s bright potential."
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