CFO Harald Wilhelm. Photo courtesy of Airbus
Airbus CFO Harald Wilhelm will leave the company in 2019. Wilhelm joins CEO Tom Enders and COO Fabrice Brégier in a top-brass bow out from the European planemaker. Ender will also be leaving in 2019, and Brégier departed the company after being passed over as Ender’s successor. The three are the most high-profile of a number of long-serving and important executives to leave Airbus in recent years.
Harald Wilhelm has served Airbus and its predecessor companies for 27 years in various finance roles, holding the role of CFO of Airbus Commercial Aircraft for the past 10 years and group CFO for the past six.
“After 18 years at the Airbus finance function, next year will be the right time for me to move on,” Wilhelm said. “Until then, I remain committed to the performance of the company, and I will work with the management to ensure a smooth transition to the next Airbus CFO.”
CEO Enders praised Wilhelm, saying, “Harald is an extraordinary CFO with an extraordinary finance team, second to none in the industry. He has a very thorough understanding of our various businesses and operations. And, last but not least, Harald commands huge respect from the investor community for his performance-driven approach and transparency. I commend Harald for his outstanding contribution to the company, and I would like to also thank him for his willingness to stay on board until my own retirement in spring next year.”
No replacement has been announced for Wilhelm. The board said it will be starting a search shortly. The company is expected to name a new CEO to replace Enders at the end of the year.