Appointments
Previously, Mr. Douglas
held senior positions in
the UAE, most notably
as CEO of Abu Dhabi
Airports Company and
as CEO of Abu Dhabi
Ports Company where
he was responsible for
the successful delivery of
Khalifa Port.
H.E. Al Mazrouei,
Chairman of the Board
of Etihad Aviation Group,
commented: “We are
delighted to have Tony
return to Abu Dhabi to
lead Etihad. He has guided
the transformation of
large organisations in
the UAE and the UK,
and he understands the
UAE and the region.
He is also deeply
knowledgeable about
commercial aviation
and keenly familiar with
Etihad’s challenges and
opportunities in a rapidly
changing industry.”
As Group CEO, Mr.
Douglas will work with
the Board and leadership
team to expand and
implement a range of
strategic initiatives
to position Etihad for
sustained success in an
50
September 2017
increasingly competitive
regional and global
aviation market.
Mr. Douglas commented:
“Etihad is a force in
global aviation that must
continue to adapt and
evolve on its own and
with industry partners.
It is an economic and
employment engine for
the UAE and the region.
With new infrastructure
and attractions like the
expanded airport, Louvre
Abu Dhabi, and Abu
Dhabi Global Market,
Etihad has a central role
in supporting the UAE’s
position as a global hub of
transportation, tourism,
commerce, and culture.”
Ray Gammell, who has
served as Interim Group
CEO since May 2017,
said: “Etihad and its
talented workforce have
helped to reshape global
and regional aviation.
With new challenges and
new opportunities, Tony
will guide the company
into the next phase of its
development.”
Mr. Douglas will be
supported by an
experienced
groupleadership team
which includes Ray
Gammell, who will
return to his position
as Group Chief People
& Performance Officer;
Ricky Thirion, Interim
Group Chief Financial
Officer; Kevin Knight,
Group Chief Strategy &
Planning Officer; Mana
Mohamed Saeed Al Mulla,
Chief Group Support
Services Officer; Henning
zur Hausen, General
Counsel; and Amina
Taher, Vice President
Corporate Affairs.
The divisional CEOs
will report directly to
Mr. Douglas, including
Peter Baumgartner,
CEO of Etihad Airways;
Chris Youlten, Managing
Director of Etihad Airport
Services; Abdul Khaliq
Saeed, CEO of Etihad
Airways Engineering;
Gavin Halliday, Managing
Director of Hala Group;
and Robin Kamark who
joins as CEO, Airline
Equity Partners in
October 2017.