Chairman of Exeter based Flybe to leave company

Exeter-based airline, Flybe has said that its Chairman Jim French will leave the company as part of a strategic review to restore profitability.

French, 60, became Flybe chairman in 2005, passing his former role as CEO to Saad Hammad to former Easyjet executive.

On his departure Mr French said: “As part of an orderly transition in August this year we appointed Saad Hammad as Chief Executive Officer, and today we announce the appointment of Simon Laffin as our new non-executive Chairman.

“We are fortunate to have attracted two high calibre and experienced individuals to lead the group in the future. I wish Simon and Saad, the executive team and all members of staff the very best for the future.”

Saad Hammad, said of the transistion: “Jim French deserves recognition as the architect of Flybe’s development into a leading regional airline and, on behalf of everyone at Flybe, I would like to thank him for his contribution over many years.”

Hammad has begun a series of management changes and restructuring in an effort to help make the £40m in savings planned in the next fiscal year. (2014)

Pressures on demand and fuel prices have seen Flybe make several economising efforts. They have put an order of jets on hold, started to renegotiate its pilots pay terms and made a £20m deal selling landing slots at London Gatwick to Easyjet.

In September, Hammad also announced that Flybe UK and Flybe Outsourcing Solutions would be disbanded and replaced with a single operation.

French will be replaced by Simon Laffin who will act as non-executive chairman for Europe’s largest independent regional airline.

Mr Laffin, 54, is also chairman of health care property business Assura Group Ltd. He said:  “I am delighted to be joining the Board and, in particular, look forward to working with Saad Hammad. Flybe has many challenges ahead, but I believe that under the new management team the Group will be developed into a leading regional aviation operator.”