SITA’s Board of Directors today announced the appointment of Bill Miller of United Airlines as the new Chair of the SITA Board for a one-year term. The appointment was made following SITA’s Annual General Assembly (AGA). Out-going Chair Paul Coby will remain on the Board of Directors. In addition, the Board confirmed that Francesco Violante will continue as CEO of the organization.
Bill Miller of United Airlines said: “I am honored to be named Chair of the Board of SITA and look forward to overseeing the organization’s continued growth. At this time, I would like to thank Paul for his dedicated and visionary leadership as Chair of the SITA Board for 11 years. Working closely with the SITA Board, Council and management, he has overseen the evolution of SITA into the world’s leading specialist in air transport communications and IT solutions, providing services for the airline and airport community around the world. As Chair, I will work closely with Paul to ensure a seamless transition.”
Paul Coby, the out-going Chair of the Board said: “I have been privileged to lead SITA as Chair for over a decade. SITA is a unique organization that exists to serve the Air Transport Community – its strength lies in its members, who are both customers and owners.”
In addition to naming a new Chair, the Board along with the SITA Council voted to support a governance review, as provided for when the current governance structure was approved in 2011. The results and recommendations will be presented back during the organization’s AGA in 2015. The Board has requested Francesco Violante to continue to serve as CEO with its full support and endorsement, and has decided to defer the process to identify his replacement until the governance review is complete.
Francesco Violante, CEO of SITA, said: “I am fully committed to continue to lead SITA and work with the new Chair, Board and Council to deliver our business performance in line with our strategic vision. We will continue the transformation in our portfolio and capabilities to further strengthen SITA’s value for its air transport owners.”
The change at SITA has come in the year that the organization is reporting strong business results and company-wide growth. Paul Coby led the Board through 11 years that saw SITA transform its business model to the commercial-cooperative approach, which is delivering benefits back to its air transport industry members and confirming SITA as a key asset to its owners. The value of SITA, as assessed by an independent valuation methodology, has increased from US$ 525 million in 2005 to US$ 2-2.5 billion in 2013.
