Cathay Pacific Airways confirmed on Thursday that its finance chief, Rebecca Sharpe, will vacate the chief financial officer role on October 1. Sharpe, who has served as an executive director and finance chief at the Hong Kong-based carrier since January 2021, is leaving to pursue early retirement and to attend to personal commitments.
The airline said Gavin March will take over as finance chief on October 1. March currently serves as finance director at Swire Bulk, the bulk trading arm of the U.K.-based John Swire & Sons group, and joined the Swire group in 2020. His career in finance spans nearly 30 years and includes positions directly related to aircraft services and aviation support.
Prior roles listed in the announcement note that March has served as the financial chief of a business unit within Hong Kong Aircraft Engineering Company and as general manager of finance and administration at Hong Kong Aero Engine Services. The appointment reflects his experience across finance functions in organisations connected to aircraft maintenance and engine services.
March's work within the Swire group has taken him across multiple geographies, including Hong Kong, the United States and Singapore, according to the company statement. The announcement did not elaborate further on an internal transition plan or on how duties will be transferred between Sharpe and March ahead of the October handover.
At present, the company has provided the timeline for Sharpe's departure and the naming of March as her successor but has not publicly shared additional details such as a broader finance leadership structure or implications for ongoing financial or operational programs.
Summary
Rebecca Sharpe will retire from her position as Cathay Pacific's chief financial officer on October 1. Gavin March, a nearly 30-year finance professional who joined the Swire group in 2020 and currently serves as finance director at Swire Bulk, will step into the CFO role. March's background includes senior finance roles at Hong Kong Aircraft Engineering Company and Hong Kong Aero Engine Services, and his work experience spans Hong Kong, the United States and Singapore.