SWISS reconstitutes its Board of Directors

Having completed its corporate restructuring, SWISS is to reconstitute its Board of Directors with effect from 1 July 2024. André Blattmann and Ashwin Bhat will relinquish their Board seats after commendable service on the Swiss airline's behalf. Dieter Vranckx, the departing SWISS CEO, will newly join the Board of Directors, succeeding Remco Steenbergen. The changes will reduce the number of Board members from five to three.

Having completed the company's restructuring in response to the coronavirus pandemic, the Board of Directors of Swiss International Air Lines (SWISS) has conducted a reappraisal of its own structure over the past few months. In the light of this, the Board has recommended to the company's Annual General Meeting (AGM) that it be reconstituted and resized. The future SWISS Board of Directors will consist of three members instead of the present five, to ensure that it is adequately constituted in line with the new SWISS organization. The AGM approved the recommendation, and the corresponding changes will enter into effect on 1 July 2024.

Blattmann and Bhat to step down; Vranckx to succeed Steenbergen

Present Board of Directors members André Blattmann and Ashwin Bhat will relinquish their seats. "Our company owes them both its sincere thanks," says Board Chairman Reto Francioni. "They have both contributed their invaluable expertise. And it has been an honour and a pleasure to work with them."

André Blattmann has been a member of the SWISS Board of Directors since January 2018. "André Blattmann was instrumental in helping us navigate our company through one of the most serious crises in its history," Reto Francioni continues. "His support in those times – particularly in our dealings with the Swiss federal authorities – was of inestimable benefit. He has also helped maintain a firm focus on Swissness and our Swiss values as vital components in SWISS's DNA."

Ashwin Bhat has been a member of the SWISS Board of Directors since February 2023. He is the Chief Executive Officer of Lufthansa Cargo and previously led, among other things, the Cargo division at SWISS for six years. "With his comprehensive airline expertise, especially in the airfreight sector, Ashwin Bhat has also been a vital source of advice and support for SWISS," confirms Reto Francioni.

Remco Steenbergen served until recently as Chief Financial Officer of the Lufthansa Group, but has now left the Group to take on a new professional challenge. He will be succeeded on the SWISS Board of Directors by Dieter Vranckx, who was recently appointed to the Lufthansa Group Executive Board. "My thanks go also to Remco Steenbergen, who has provided vital input and ideas during his time on our Board of Directors," says Reto Francioni. "And I look forward to continuing my collaborations with Dieter Vranckx, who will now join our Board and will thus continue to support SWISS with his energies and his expertise."

The reconstituted SWISS Board of Directors will thus consist of Reto Francioni (Chairman), Dieter Vranckx (Deputy Chairman) and Doris Russi Schurter.

SWISS to continue to offer Frey chocolates to its guests

The inflight chocolates distributed on all SWISS services will continue to come from Frey: the airline is extending its collaboration with Swiss food manufacturer Delica for a further three years from the beginning of April. SWISS has been sourcing its world-famous 'SWISS Schöggeli' bars from Frey since 2015. The complimentary chocolates are offered to passengers on every SWISS flight.

Australia’s largest mosque to celebrate International Women's Day

Australia's largest mosque (Baitul Huda Mosque)

Australia's largest mosque to celebrate International Women's Day

The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community Australia

The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community will celebrate "national Women's Day" in all its Mosques across Australia on Friday 8th March 2024. Special prayers will be made at 1pm during the most important prayer of the week called "jumah" (the day of gathering). The topic to the sermon will be "High Status of Women in Islam"

Boost for electric vehicle rentals and second-hand car market

 

Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA)

On behalf of the Australian Government, the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) has today announced $4.76 million in funding from the Driving the Nation Program to Europcar Mobility Group for the 'Electric Rental Vehicle and Charging Infrastructure Rollout' project.

SWISS adds new Chief Operating Officer to its Management Board and appoints new CFO

SWISS is to enlarge its Management Board. With effect from 1 May 2024, the presently three-member top management body will be expanded with the addition of a Chief Operating Officer. The enlargement is intended to give greater weighting to the company's core activity. Oliver Buchhofer, who is presently Head of Operations, has been appointed to the new COO position. SWISS has also appointed a new Chief Financial Officer. Dennis Weber, who is presently Head of Investor Relations at Lufthansa Group, will assume his new SWISS CFO duties on 1 May 2024. He succeeds Markus Binkert, who will leave the company at the end of May.

Hon Warwick Smith AO, Supports Inaugural Australia Africa Business Summit

The inaugural Australia Africa Business Summit (AABS), set to take place from May 12-14 in Melbourne, Australia, has garnered significant support from Hon Warwick Smith AO, Chair of Trade and Investment and Chair of Global Engagement for the Business Council of Australia.

With a notable portfolio of investments across Africa, including ventures in Rwanda and previous business engagements in Tanzania and South Africa, Mr Smith brings a wealth of experience and insight into the potential for growth and collaboration between Australia and Africa.

Reflecting on the advantages of conducting business in Africa, Warwick Smith emphasised the continent's diverse and dynamic landscape.

"Africa has an encouraging demographic, a young demographic. In parts, economically stable, in some parts extremely challenging. With 54 separate countries, Africa is an extremely diverse continent.

"The upcoming Summit allows for an increased level of knowledge and understanding about the diversity and opportunities present in Africa, resulting in stronger ties to be forged between the two continents," said Mr Smith.

Mr Smith highlighted the unique opportunities the Summit offers for businesses seeking to expand their presence across both Australian and African markets.

"Understanding the diversity of Africa must be furthered through connectivity. Most connection is at an early stage, but the Summit, as it is a new event, allows for an expanded connectiveness," Mr Smith said.

President of the Australia Africa Chamber of Commerce (AACC), Duncan Harris, lauded Mr Smith's support.

"The endorsement from Warwick Smith underscores the importance of fostering strong partnerships between Australia and Africa.

"The inaugural Summit is poised to be a catalyst for collaboration and economic growth, providing a platform for businesses to explore new opportunities and forge meaningful connections across continents.

"The Australia Africa Business Summit represents a significant milestone in strengthening trade and investment relations between our two regions. We look forward to welcoming delegates from across Australia and Africa to engage in fruitful discussions and explore avenues for mutually beneficial partnerships," said Mr Harris.

Delegates will have access to key government representatives and private sector stakeholders to build their business between Australia and Africa in a deal-focused 2-day conference.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION: https://australiaafricabusinesssummit.com/

Australian Women's Soccer Team, The Matildas

The Matildas is the nickname for the women's national soccer team of Australia. They represent the country in international women's soccer competitions. The team is managed by Football Australia, which is the governing body for soccer in Australia. Here are some key points about the Matildas: