KENYA – Kenya’s flag carrier airline, Kenya Airways has appointed Clare Ward as the new Chief Information Officer (CIO) effective January 2019.

She succeeds Kevin Kinyanjui who among four other senior staff members resigned from the national carrier amidst management shakeup.

She holds a BSc. in Applied Biology, is a Chartered Accountant and a Certified Information Systems Auditor.

Ward has 24 years’ experience in the airline industry, having held various senior management roles with airlines and international aviation businesses such as British Airways, Etihad Airways, Dubai Airports and AlphaZetta prior to joining Kenya Airways.

Ward brings in expertise in shifting organisations from brick and mortar to digital driven, by creating and overseeing the execution of innovative strategies.

“As we continue to accelerate our technology transformation, I am delighted to have Clare join our team.

Her experience in this field is essential for Kenya Airways to effectively compete with regional careers in the fast and ever-changing environment of IT.

Clare will be responsible for ensuring continuity and quality improvement of the systems and tools used daily by our employees,” said Kenya Airways Group Managing Director and CEO Sebastian Mikosz.

Management review and restructuring

Clare Ward’s appointment was part of the strategy undertaken by Kenya Airways to make organisational changes in various fields.

The carrier which is struggling to turn to profits is looking to address issues that will enhance internal efficiencies, industry alliances and improving customer experience.

The staff departures, initiated in 2017 are part of the changes being initiated by the new management team led by new CEO Sebastian Mikosz and former Safaricom CEO Michael Joseph, the airline’s board chairman.

The other top executives who left the firm are Catherine Moraa (Head of Internal audit), Lucy Muhiu (Head of Employee Relations) and Brian Mbuti (the Manager in charge of In-flight and Jet Fuel Procurement).

Sebastian Mikosz was given the CEO job with a mandate to turn around Kenya Airways out of the financial turbulence.