Etihad revamps corporate structure with Hogan named head of new umbrella company

James Hogan will be chief executive of Etihad Aviation Group, an umbrella company formally established in 2014, that will oversee a number of new companies to reflect the growing diversity of Etihad’s activities.

Etihad Airways’ James Hogan has been named chief executive of Etihad Aviation Group. Ravindranath K / The National

Etihad Airways' James Hogan has been named chief executive of Etihad Aviation Group, an umbrella company created to contain Etihad's growing interests, the chairman Mohamed Al Mazrouei said on Sunday.

“This has been driven by the formation of new companies, including Etihad Airways Engin­eering, Etihad Global Cargo Management Company, the Global Loyalty Company, Hala Abu Dhabi, and Etihad Airport Services,” Mr Al Mazrouei said.

“The acquisition of minority equity stakes in Alitalia, airberlin, Air Serbia, Air Seychelles, Etihad Regional operated by Darwin Airline, Jet Airways and Virgin Australia, has also necessitated the need for a dedicated team to manage our shareholding, and the delivery of wide-ranging synergies that are beneficial to all parties,” he added.

Mr Hogan, who has been chief executive of Etihad for the past decade, will be chief executive of Etihad Aviation Group, an umbrella company formally established in 2014, that will oversee a number of new companies to reflect the growing diversity of Etihad’s activities.

Peter Baumgartner, who has been with the company since 2005, takes over as chief executive of the airline.

Bruno Matheu will be chief executive of Airline Equity Partners, which Mr Al Mazrouei said delivered US$1.4 billion in revenue and 5 million passengers to Etihad last year. Mr Matheu has been chief operating officer of this unit since 2014.

Jeff Wilkinson is named chief executive of Etihad Airways Engineering, which undertakes aircraft maintenance for Etihad as well as third party carriers.

Hala Group, the hospitality arm, has yet to name a chief executive.

“Etihad Airways is no longer a stand-alone business,” Mr Hogan said. “The new management structure will enable us to maximise opportunities for growth, revenue generation and cost control on a much bigger scale.”

Also on the Etihad Aviation Group executive management team will be James Rigney as chief financial officer, Kevin Knight as strategy and planning chief, Ray Gammell as chief of people and performance, and Robert Webb as chief of information and technology.

Etihad Aviation Group will have about 27,000 employees, with just over 20,000 working for Etihad Airways.

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