Former Virgin Australia boss takes top job at ASX listed company
Former Virgin Australia boss Jayne Hrdlicka has announced she will be the new Endeavour Group chief executive at the start of next year.
Endeavour Group owns Dan Murphy's and BWS as well as more than 350 pubs.
Ms Hrdlicka stepped down from Virgin Australia earlier this year, after a near four-year stint in the job.
During her time she helped navigate the airline – owned by Bain Capital following its collapse during the Covid-19 pandemic – into a major deal with Qatar airways.
Ms Hrdlicka will start on January 1, 2026. The company has been searching for a new boss since Steve Donohue left late last year, with executive chairman Ari Mervis stepping into the role in the meantime.
'I have a long history with Endeavour's retail and hotel businesses, initially as a consultant to Woolworths, including on their early liquor strategy, and then as a Woolworths Group board member,' Ms Hrdlicka said.
'Endeavour Group has much to play for. I look forward to working with the 30,000+ team members.'
Ms Hrdlicka has extensive experience as a senior executive and non-executive director at some of Australia's best known consumer businesses and brands.
Prior to that role she was chief executive of the A2 Milk Company and Group chief executive of the Jetstar Group.
Between 2010 and 2016, Ms Hrdlicka was a non-executive director of Woolworths Group, which at the time included Endeavour Group's market leading liquor brands and he ALH Hotel Group.
Mr Mervis said Ms Hrdlicka had a proven track record leading consumer-facing businesses to success.
'She has led many complex organisations and delivered significant shareholder value by capturing the true potential of a company's brands and assets,' he said.
'After an extensive global search, the board is delighted to have secured such a highly capable leader. Jayne brings many strengths to the role, including a history of using deep consumer insights to define successful strategy formulation and execution and extensive business transformation experience.'
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