With the announced retirement of WestJet’s current CEO Ed Sims, the airline has named Harry Taylor as interim president and chief executive officer (CEO), with a transition period taking place between late November and mid-December 2021.
Taylor joined WestJet in 2015 as executive vice-president and chief financial officer (CFO). During this time, he led the airline’s inaugural U.S. bond issue, negotiated the purchase of the Boeing 787 Dreamliner and Boeing MAX aircraft, and was instrumental in the sale of WestJet to Onex.
Through the COVID-19 pandemic, with little to no revenue coming into the airline’s coffers, Taylor led its finance team in managing WestJet’s liquidity to ensure sustainability.
While Taylor serves as interim CEO, Jennifer Bue, WestJet’s current vice-president, finance planning and analysis will serve as interim CFO.
Bue joined WestJet in 2008 and has held various leadership roles in corporate planning, treasury, accounting and was head of finance at ultra-low fare airline Swoop.
