Qantas said this morning that Mullen will join the board in July before taking over as chairman ahead of the AGM in October.

The experienced executive was chairman of Telstra from 2016-2023, and had spent an additional eight years on the telco’s board. He was also DHL’s Asia-Pacific chief executive from 2002-2005 and the global CEO between 2005 and 2009.

He is currently the chairman of Treasury Wine Estates and supply chain firm Brambles, and in November was announced as the chair of new consultancy Scyne.

Qantas said Mullen will reduce some of those commitments “over time”, following criticism directed Goyder’s way over perceptions his obligations as the chair of Woodside and the AFL meant he didn’t have enough time to dedicate to the airline.

“It’s an extraordinary privilege to take up the chairmanship of the national carrier,” Mullen said.

“It is a company that I have admired all my life and I am greatly looking forward to helping Vanessa (Hudson, the new Qantas CEO) and the management team take the company to new heights of service and performance excellence.

“I am conscious of the time commitment that this prestigious role requires and will be adjusting my other professional obligations to ensure that I can be fully focussed on this exciting challenge.

“Qantas has consistently featured as one of the world’s very best airlines, and now that the pandemic is behind us and the airline industry gets back closer to normal, I have every confidence that Qantas will continue to excel.

“I am honoured to become a part of this journey.”

Qantas also announced current Origin Energy, Westpac and Brambles director Nora Scheinkestel as a new board member from March, following the resignations of Maxine Brenner and Jacqueline Hey.

Brenner and Hey will leave the board after the airline releases its half-year results tomorrow.

Mullen and Scheinkestel’s appointments will be put to shareholders at Qantas’ next AGM.