Virgin Atlantic appoints Richard McCord as Chief Financial Officer

Virgin Atlantic has announced the appointment of Richard McCord as its new Chief Financial Officer (CFO), effective 5 October 2026.

Role & Responsibilities:
McCord will oversee Finance, Treasury, Procurement and Fleet, Insurance, and Internal Audit. He will also join the Virgin Atlantic Board as part of the Executive Leadership Team.

Background:
- CFO at London Luton Airport since 2021, where he stabilized finances post-Covid, grew profitability, and led negotiations for long-term capacity expansion.
- Over a decade at Centrica plc, including CFO of its Business Division.
- Early career at PwC in Transaction Services.

Leadership Transition:
- Ansar Hussain, who served as Interim CFO since January 2026, is being promoted to Senior Vice President in Finance after successfully guiding the airline through a turbulent period.

Statements:
- Corneel Koster (CEO) welcomed McCord, highlighting his breadth of CFO and leadership experience.
- McCord expressed excitement about joining Virgin Atlantic, emphasizing profitable growth while retaining the brand’s unique identity.

Strategic Context
Virgin Atlantic is strengthening its financial foundations to support profitable growth, invest in its premium customer experience, and evolve its long-term strategy. McCord’s appointment signals a focus on stability and expansion as the airline continues to navigate competitive global aviation markets.

This move also reflects Virgin Atlantic’s commitment to balancing financial resilience with customer-centric innovation—a dual priority that has become essential in today’s airline industry.