Budget airline easyJet appoints its new Chief Executive.

easyJet has appointed Carolyn McCall as its new Chief Executive as Andy Harrison leaves to join Whitbread.

Ms McCall will become easyJet’s first female Chief Executive and takes up the job from her current role of Group Chief Executive of Guardian Media Group, where she has been since 2006.

The budget airline says that Ms McCall will bring with her a proven track record of successful operational delivery and extensive plc Board, government and lobbying experience.

As well as a number of senior positions at the Guardian, Ms McCall has also held directorships at Tesco and Lloyds Banking Group and was appointed to the Board of New Look earlier this year.

Sir Michael Rake, Chairman of easyJet, commented on the appointment: “On behalf of the Board, I am delighted to welcome Carolyn to easyJet. Following a thorough process involving a number of high calibre candidates we have unanimously chosen a strong Chief Executive with the strategic ability, operational capability and passion to drive easyJet through the next stage of its development and we look forward to working with Carolyn.”

Ms McCall said: “I am proud to become the Chief Executive of a company that has achieved so much in the past 15 years, not least a leading presence on Europe’s most popular routes.

“My priority will be to build on easyJet’s strengths: a strong consumer proposition, leadership positions in many of Europe’s key airports, and an operating model built around simplicity and low cost.”

Rumours have been rife that outgoing Chief Executive Andy Harrison had been engaged in bitter relations with easyJet stalwart Stelios Haji-Ioannou who, according to reports, had refused to sign off the company’s accounts due to ongoing disputes.

Mr Harrison will be joining Premier Inn owner Whitbread on 1 September, but a date has not been tabled as to when easyJet’s new Chief Executive will start.