Hong Kong’s Swire group has has announced another in what appears to be a fairly regular management shakeup, which will see James Woodrow move from director of cargo at Cathay Pacific Airways to the shipping side of Swire’s vast business empire. Effective this summer Woodrow, who is also the current chairman of the International Air Transport Association’s (IATA) Cargo Committee, will become managing director at The China Navigation Company Pte Ltd (CNCo). The move marks a return to sea freight for Woodrow who joined John Swire & Sons in September 1990 and spent 15 years working in the sea freight industry for the group.
Woodrow will be replaced by Simon Large who will be responsible for all aspects of the group’s cargo business worldwide, including operations, marketing and sales. Woodrow, who held the director of cargo position since September 2013, will surely be missed within the industry for his articulate and down-to-earth approach.
Large is currently the airline’s general manager Marketing, Loyalty Programmes & CRM. He joined the Swire group in 1991 and has worked in a variety of management positions within Cathay Pacific, as well as postings at Hong Kong Air Cargo Terminals and tea grower/importer Finlays, part of the Swire group.
Other changes in personnel include Tom Owen, who will take up the position of director People, responsible for all human resource strategy and issues at the airline and is currently senior VP responsible for Cathay Pacific’s business in the Americas. Owen takes over from Nick Rhodes, the predeccessor of Woodrow as cargo boss, who will become the staff director of John Swire & Sons, Hong Kong.
And Paul Loo will become director Corporate Development and will be responsible for the development of Cathay Pacific’s networks and long-term strategic direction. He is currently GM China, looking after the business and operations of Cathay Pacific in Mainland China. He replaces James Barrington who will become group director Airframe Services at Hong Kong Aircraft Engineering Company Ltd (HAECO) in the Swire Pacific group of companies.
Commenting on the appointments, Cathay Pacific chief executive Ivan Chu said: “We are very pleased to announce the appointment of these three new directors, all of whom have a deep understanding of the business and operations of Cathay Pacific along with considerable management expertise that will add both strength and depth to our leadership team. I would also like to thank all three departing directors who have each made a huge contribution to Cathay Pacific over the years.”
