Brett Godfrey (born 8 August 1963[citation needed]) is an Australian businessman and co-founder of Virgin Australia. Godfrey was awarded the Centenary Medal for his service to Tourism and Aviation in 2003 and inducted into the HM Awards' ‘Hall of Fame' in 2015.[1]
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Career
Godfrey was educated in Melbourne, before qualifying as a Chartered Accountant with Touche Ross in 1987. Godfrey worked for the firm's Canadian arm before returning to Australia in 1989 and joining Sherrard/National Jet in Melbourne as its Financial Controller.[2]
Godfrey's Virgin career began in the early 1990s when he moved to the UK to join airline Virgin Atlantic as Finance Manager.[2] In 1996, Godfrey became chief financial officer and represented Virgin's interests in the acquisition of a new European low cost airline – Virgin Express.[2] In 1999, Godfrey joined with Richard Branson announcing plans of Australia's newest airline, Virgin Blue.[3]
“In the case of Virgin Blue, we backed the plans of a former Virgin Express executive and entrepreneur Brett Godfrey, who first presented his ideas to me sketched out on a beer mat." Sir Richard Branson[4]
In 2003 Virgin Blue Airlines debuted on the Australian Securities Exchange and turned a $10m investment into a $2.3B listed company[5] and by the end of Godfrey's tenure Virgin Blue had made $700M in accumulated profits.[6]
Godfrey retired as CEO of Virgin Blue in 2010.[7]
Virgin Australia
Brett Godfrey is co-founder and was founding CEO of Virgin Australia Holdings, launching the airline with just UD$10M in seed capital and 2 jets.[8] He greatly expanded the airline, introducing low fare flights and creating partnerships with other airlines, often taking advantage of downturns in the airline industry.[3]
Godfrey's 10-year period as CEO saw the airline expand to an operation of 86 aircraft, 6,500 staff and an Airline Group incorporating Virgin Blue and international subsidiaries Pacific Blue, Polynesian Blue and V Australia.[8] Godfrey was credited with developing the "New World Carrier" strategy that initiated Virgin's move up-market and Virgin Blue's renewal and growth 'Airline of the Future' project now known as Virgin Australia.[9] Prior to his departure from the airline in 2010, Godfrey introduced Business Class on long haul operations and established partnerships with Delta Air Lines and Air New Zealand.[9]
At Virgin Blue's annual results announcement 3 months before Godfrey's retirement, the airline reported a larger profit than the national carrier. It was the first time a rival Australian airline had greater profits than Qantas.[10]
“The Virgin Blue that Brett Godfrey ran for ten years, finally broke the grip that established legacy airlines had on Australian aviation."[11]
Other business ventures
In 2001, Godfrey purchased Makepeace Island in partnership with Sir Richard Branson.[7] The small heart shaped island resort is located in the Noosa River on Australia's Sunshine Coast.[12] In 2011, Godfrey purchased Quamby Estate in Tasmania with former Virgin Blue Deputy CEO, Rob Sherrard. The estate is one of Tasmania's most historically important properties dating back to 1828 and now a commercial luxury lodge.[13] In 2013, Godfrey continued his acquisition of tourism assets with the purchase of the Tasmanian Walking Company in partnership with Rob Sherrard.[14] TWC owns a number of award-winning eco-tourism walks including Cradle Mountain Huts Walk along the World Heritage Area, Overland Track; Bay of Fires Lodge and Spa, Wineglass Bay Sail Walk[15] and Three Capes Lodge Walk.[16]
Godfrey launched the Australian Walking Company (AWC) in July 2015 with former Qantas CEO Geoff Dixon, Rob Sherrard and Greenstone Partner, Scott Malcolm. The acquisition of the Twelve Apostles Lodge Walk represents AWC's first guided walks investment. (10)[9]
Directorships
Godfrey is Chairman of Tourism and Events Queensland,[17] Chairman of the Tasmanian AFL Taskforce[18] and a Director of Rugby Australia.[19]
Previously, Godfrey was a Director of WestJet (2006 - 2019)[20] and a Director of Auckland Airport (2010 - 2019).[21]
Awards
HM Awards 'Hall of Fame' Inductee Centenary Medal for service to Tourism and Aviation Australian Chief executive of the Year by the Institute of Customer Service Outstanding Chartered Accountant in Business, by the Institute of Chartered Accountants. [1]
References
- ^ a b Tourism Australia. "Tourism Australia Board of Directors". Tourism Australia. Retrieved 22 August 2015.
- ^ a b c Goodsir, Darren (16 March 2002). "From a flight of fancy, Virgin Blue's Brett Godfrey reaches for the sky". The Age. Retrieved 21 August 2015.
- ^ a b Creedy, Steve. "Brett Godfrey Fulfils Virgin Ambition". The Australian. Retrieved 21 August 2015.
- ^ Branson, Richard. "Entrepreneur". Entrepreneur. Retrieved 21 August 2015.
- ^ "Share Offer Oversubscribed". Virgin Australia. Retrieved 30 August 2015.
- ^ Easdown, Geoff, "Cheap airfares king flying into sunset", The Daily Telegraph
- ^ a b Meacham, Steve. "From High Flyer to Eco Manager Godfrey Takes A Walk". The Australian. Retrieved 20 August 2015.
- ^ a b "Virgin Blue Announces Birth of the 'New World Carrier' in CAPA Report". Virgin Australia. Archived from the original on 6 September 2015. Retrieved 30 August 2015.
- ^ a b c Sandilands, Ben. "Virgin Blue's 'Airline of the Future' project will change everything". Crickey. Retrieved 30 August 2015.
- ^ Carswell, Andrew, "Virgin Tops Qantas with $62.5M Result", The Daily Telegraph
- ^ Sandilands, Ben. "How Brett Godfrey Changed People's Lives for the Better even at Qantas". Crikey. Retrieved 24 August 2015.
- ^ "Sir Richard Branson's Paradise Island". CNN. Retrieved 22 August 2015.
- ^ Morton, Stephen. "Quamby Estate Launches Launceston's First Complimentary Airport Shuttle Service". Spice News. Spice News.
- ^ Allen, Lisa. "Godfrey on Trail to Tourism Empire". Herald Sun. Retrieved 20 August 2015.
- ^ "Godfrey Buys Bay of Fires". Hotel Management. 20 September 2013. Retrieved 22 August 2015.
- ^ Scardifield, Maggie. "Tasmania Three Capes Track". Gourmet Traveller. Retrieved 21 October 2021.
- ^ Hutchinson, Samantha. "How Brett Godfrey Found His Balance". BRW. Archived from the original on 17 October 2015. Retrieved 20 August 2015.
- ^ "LISTEN: Find out why a Tassie AFL team finally makes sense". afl.com.au. 11 September 2019. Retrieved 21 October 2021.
- ^ "Board". australia.rugby. Retrieved 21 October 2021.
- ^ "WestJet names Former Virgin Blue Airlines CEO to board". The Globe and Mail. 22 August 2006. Retrieved 21 October 2021.
- ^ "Godfrey to stand for Auckland Airport board". Australian Aviation. Retrieved 21 October 2021.
This page was last edited on 16 December 2023, at 07:23