Abu Dhabi, UAE – Etihad Aviation Group (EAG) today confirmed the appointment of Mark Powers as its new Group Chief Financial Officer. Mr Powers will join EAG in January 2018.
In his new role, Mr Powers will
be responsible for the finance function across the Abu Dhabi-based group’s five
divisions, which comprise UAE national airline Etihad Airways, Etihad Airways
Engineering, Etihad Airport Services, Hala Group and Airline Equity Partners.
Mr Powers joins Etihad Aviation
Group from Tulane University’s A.B. Freeman School of Business, where he was
Professor of Finance. He brings with him significant industry experience,
having held senior leadership roles at major airlines including JetBlue, where
he most recently held the position of Chief Financial Officer.
He also worked for Northwest
Airlines, where he held the position of Vice President Treasury, Corporate
Finance; for Continental Airlines, where he was Treasurer and Associate General
Counsel; and for GE Aviation, where he was Director Customer Finance and
Commercial Engine Programs.
Tony Douglas, Group Chief
Executive Officer of Etihad Aviation Group, who officially assumed his role on
3 January, said: “We are delighted that Mark will be joining the executive
leadership team at Etihad Aviation Group. His corporate finance knowledge of
aviation is unrivalled and he is extremely familiar with the challenges and
opportunities that face our industry.
“The Etihad Aviation Group Board
believes Mark and the wider finance team will play a pivotal role in helping to
guide Etihad onto the next stage of its development.”
Mr Powers commented: “I am
looking forward to joining Etihad Aviation Group and taking on this unique
opportunity to lead the financial development of the group’s divisions at this
exciting moment in its history.”
Mr Powers will report directly to
Mr Douglas. Ricky Thirion, who has been Interim Group Chief Financial Officer,
will resume his position as Group Treasurer.
Mr Douglas added: “I would like
to thank Ricky for his dedication and focus during his interim tenure in one of
the group’s most important corporate functions.”