Regional carrier Gulf Air has announced several key management appointments including heads of newly created services division and customer services.
Luke Medley has been named as vice-president of the services division while Peter Rowe will be the new customer services head. President and chief executive James Hogan said Medley would be responsible for reviewing and implementing exacting standards throughout Gulf Air's operational network. "Mr Medley is renowned in the service industry for his expertise in service delivery," he said. "The division will focus on improving cost and efficiencies related to airport, in-flight, catering and services delivery system-wide, and has been created as part of our process of re-structuring the airline to return to profitability within three years." Medley was previously chief executive officer of Avis in the UK and Australia, and is a former Ansett Airlines executive. Rowe will oversee all system-wide airport operations and will report to Medley. The new role replaces the position of ground services, previously held by Peter Cross, who will remain in the customer services department, and will assist on a project-by-project basis. Rowe has more than 20 years of experience in senior operational and commercial aviation roles in the UK, US and Australia. Meanwhile, the airline has named John Butler as sales and marketing vice-president, and Shane O'Hare as marketing general manager. Butler will be responsible for cultivating the airline's distribution strategy among the travel trade and corporate accounts for all countries. O'Hare will be responsible for developing and implementing brand development and marketing strategies system-wide. "A seasoned professional in the area of sales and marketing, Mr Butler's expertise comes from a 25-year background, and an association with corporations with global operations," said Hogan. O'Hare was previously the Star Alliance marketing and brand development director.