Flybe has appointed Easyjet’s UK director Paul Simmons as its new chief commercial officer.
Simmons will take up his position with Flybe on October 28 after leaving Easyjet last week. He will report directly to Flybe’s new CEO Saad Hammad, who also worked at Easyjet.
Hammad took over as Flybe CEO from Jim French on August 1 following the splitting of the role of CEO and chairman. French has remained as chairman of the airline.
Simmons worked with Hammad at Easyjet between 2006 and 2008 when Simmons was head of brand marketing, product and distribution, while Hammad held the position of chief commercial officer. Simmons oversaw the launch of Easyjet’s programme for business travellers.
In another move, Flybe’s chief financial officer Andrew Knuckey has stepped down from the board and will leave the company once a successor has been appointed. Knuckey, who has been with Flybe for eight years, paid a leading role in Flybe’s flotation on the London Stock Exchange in 2010.
flybe.com