September 10, 2012
The chief executive of Virgin Atlantic, the airline founded by entrepreneur Richard Branson, is to leave next year, the company said.
Steve Ridgway, a friend of Branson's who joined the airline in 1989 and who has been CEO since 2001, will retire from the firm next spring and will lead the search for his successor, the company said in a statement.
Virgin Atlantic, which is part-owned by Singapore Airlines, last month unveiled plans to make its first foray into the domestic short-haul market, going head to head with rival British Airways on routes between London and Manchester next year.
Branson said of Ridgway: "He will be very much involved with the airline into next year and will doubtlessly be involved in other Virgin projects."
