Webjet has today announced that long-time travel industry leader Katrina Barry has joined the Webjet Board as an independent Non-Executive Director.
Ms Barry has 15 years of experience as a non-executive director across the tourism, fintech and financial services sectors, including serving on the board of the Australian Federation of Travel Agents (AFTA) until March 2022.
Ms Barry is currently the Global CEO of me&u, a global leader in smartphone at-table ordering technology, and a non-executive director of Australia’s leading pet insurance company, PetSure.
Ms Barry most recently was the Chair of Hollard Insurance Australia/New Zealand, where she also served as Chair of its Remuneration and Investment Committees across a 7-year tenure.
Ms Barry’s previous executive roles include Managing Director of Contiki Holidays and Trafalgar Tours across Australia, New Zealand and Asia from 2014 to 2022, Head of Digital & Direct Businesses and Head of Customer Experience at BT Financial Group from 2011 to 2014 and various strategy and investment roles with the Virgin Group from 2004 to 2011, including Co-Founder of the gym chain, Virgin Active.
In her early career, Ms Barry was a lawyer before joining McKinsey & Company as a management consultant, working with Fortune 500 and ASX100 companies in retail, telecommunications, FMCG and financial services.
Commenting on the news, Webjet’s Chair, Roger Sharp, said, “Webjet has been considering adding an additional non-executive director with deep travel experience for some time as part of its succession planning process.
“With recovery in the global travel sector well advanced, we are delighted to welcome Katrina to the Board. I am confident that she will bring considerable value to the business.”
Meanwhile, Ms Barry said, “I am delighted to join the Board of Webjet, a company I have admired for a long time. I look forward to working with the Board and management team and re-engaging with the travel industry during this exciting rebound time.”
Ms Barry’s role takes effect on 17 October 2022.
