National carrier Kenya Airways (KQ) has announced the resignation of a non-executive director. KQ, in a notice on October 13, announced the resignation of John Wilson as a non-executive director, pursuant to the Capital Markets (Securities) (Public Offers, Listing and Disclosures) Regulations 2023, promulgated under the Capital Markets Act.
Wilson’s resignation is effective October 9, 2025, according to the national carrier. He served on the Board as a representative of KQ Lenders Company 2017 Limited and was the Chair of the Human Resources Committee and a member of the Board Audit and Risk Committee.
“The Board wishes to express its deepest and most sincere gratitude to Mr. Wilson for his invaluable and robust contribution to the Company during his tenure and wishes him the very best in his future endeavours,” reads part of the notice.
Wilson’s professional career spans over 40 years, during which he has worked with several leading organizations and companies both in Kenya and internationally.
Career profile of John Wilson
He possesses extensive expertise in transport, heavy manufacturing, large-scale privatizations and post-privatization advisory, as well as project and structured finance, global trade, international banking, risk management, and regulatory compliance.
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In addition, Wilson has vast experience in corporate strategy, restructuring, and addressing a range of operational challenges facing corporations. He previously served as the Group Chief Risk & Compliance Officer at Equity Group Holdings Limited, retiring from the role in March 2021.
The outgoing Kenya Airways non-executive director has also held positions with prominent international institutions, including the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), the Royal Swedish Army, McKinsey & Co., the World Bank Group (IBRD & IFC), Swedbank, and Kaupthing Bank (Stockholm).
Wilson holds a Master of Arts in Economics with a dual concentration in Political Science from Uppsala University, Sweden, and a Master’s in Public Affairs, specializing in International Relations, from Princeton University, New Jersey, United States.
Kenya Airways announces vacancy for high-profile role after recording losses
His exit from KQ follows the national carrier’s announcement of a Chief Financial Officer recruitment to steer its financial recovery and growth. This comes after the release of its results for the half year ended June 30, 2025, in which it reported a Ksh12 billion loss after tax.
Kenya Airways appointed Mary Mwenga as the Acting Chief Financial Officer on August 30. Mwenga had held several positions in the company, including Acting Head of Supply Chain & Facilities and Head of Finance. Until her appointment, she served as the Head of Business Performance & Reporting at the Company, reporting to the CFO.
KQ’s total income for the six months ended June 2025 decreased to Ksh74.5 billion, down from Ksh91.5 billion in June 2024, reflecting a decline in revenue amid challenging operating conditions.
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Total operating costs decreased slightly to Ksh80.7 billion, down from Ksh90.2 billion, representing a year-on-year reduction of about Ksh9.45 billion.
The airline, however, recorded an operating loss of Ksh6.24 billion despite this reduction, compared to an operating profit of Ksh1.3 billion in H1 2024.
Additionally, passenger numbers decreased by 14% to 2.2 million, while available seat kilometers (ASKs) declined 16% to 6.72 billion, accompanied by a 19% decrease in revenue passenger kilometers (RPKs).
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