Effective December 2, 2024, Becky Woodmansee will join Virgin Atlantic’s senior leadership team as Chief People Officer. She joins the carrier from Whitbread plc, where she has served as People Director Premier Inn & Restaurants UK for the last five years.
On Wednesday (June 19, 2024), Virgin Atlantic announced the appointment of Becky Woodmansee as Chief People Office effective December 2, 2024. She will join Virgin’s senior leadership team from Whitbread plc, where she has served as People Director for Premier Inn & Restaurants UK for the last five years, a business with £2.8 billion in annual revenues and 37,000 team members. In her new role, Ms. Woodmansee will ensure the airline’s team members can thrive at work, by creating inclusive experiences that energize them, and drive the company’s vision to be the most loved travel company.
In Wednesday’s announcement, Virgin Atlantic’s CEO, Shai Weiss, said,
“In our 40th year, we’re celebrating the red thread that sets us apart – our amazing people. Becky joins us at an exciting time on our mission to be the most loved travel company and our focus on people agenda, culture and performance has never been greater. Her extensive experience, curiosity, passion for excellence, and people first approach will help foster collaboration and drive our performance to new heights.”
Also commenting on her upcoming role as Virgin Atlantic’s Chief People Officer, Becky Woodmansee, said,
“I’ve long admired the people first ethos at Virgin Atlantic and the vital link between performance and delivering an elevated customer experience. I’m privileged to be joining as Chief People Officer and look forward to taking performance to a new level as we look to the future. I can’t wait to get started.”
Becky Woodmansee has lived and worked internationally, starting her early career with NatWest, Unilever and Santander, before moving to Home Retail Group plc, where she served in a number of leadership roles, including HR Director for the DIY chain, Homebase.
Founded by entrepreneur Sir Richard Branson in 1984, Virgin Atlantic has brought innovation and the highest level of customer care to the airline industry. The carrier was voted Britain’s only Global Five Star Airline by APEX in 2023 for the seventh consecutive year. Headquartered in London, Virgin Atlantic employs over 8,500 team members worldwide. The airline currently serves 30 destinations across four continents. Alongside shareholder and Joint Venture partner Delta Air Lines, Virgin Atlantic operates a leading network between the US and UK, with onward connections to over 200 cities around the world. Virgin Atlantic is a member of the global SkyTeam alliance.
Source: Virgin Atlantic