Emirates’ Sir Tim Clark urges Boeing to prioritise safety in CEO search – FT

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Sir Tim Clark, the President of Emirates, and one of Boeing’s significant clients, has emphasised the critical need for the crisis-ridden aircraft manufacturer to prioritise safety standards in its leadership selection.

In an interview with the Financial Times, Clark emphasised the necessity for Boeing’s new chief executive to possess strong engineering expertise to address the company’s ongoing challenges.

“To fix Boeing’s issues, the company needs a strong engineering lead as its head coupled with a governance model that prioritises safety and quality,” Clark stated. He further expressed his support for efforts by Boeing’s largest labor union to secure representation on the board, emphasising the need for “serious lateral thinking” to address the current situation.

Boeing CEO to step down

Boeing recently announced a major leadership reshuffle in response to an escalating reputational crisis following incidents such as a 737 Max door panel detachment mid-flight in January.

As part of the reshuffle, CEO Dave Calhoun announced his departure at the end of the year, while board chair Larry Kellner will depart in May. Stan Deal, head of the commercial planes division, was immediately replaced by chief operating officer Stephanie Pope.

Read: Boeing CEO Dave Calhoun to step down in shakeup amid safety crisis

Emirates, a major Boeing customer, has been vocal about its concerns regarding Boeing’s manufacturing processes and quality issues.

Clark highlighted the urgency for Boeing to address its challenges swiftly, especially considering the company’s recent production slowdowns and ongoing issues with the 737 Max. “Whether, yet again, this changing of the guard will resolve Boeing’s issues only time will tell, but time, unfortunately, is not on their side,” Clark said.

As Boeing navigates this crucial period, all eyes are now on the selection of a new CEO and board chair.

Who can rescue Boeing?

Clark’s remarks underscore the growing pressure on Boeing to address its governance and safety concerns effectively.

Industry observers are closely watching the potential contenders for the top post, including Stephanie Pope, Dave Gitlin, Patrick Shanahan, and Greg Smith.

Additionally, the International Association of Machinists District 751 has advocated for union representation on the board to ensure the voices of factory workers are integrated into the decision-making process.

With stakeholders closely monitoring developments, the aerospace giant faces significant challenges in restoring trust and confidence in its operations.