Webjet Group appoints Nicole Sheffield as new Managing Director and CEO
Webjet Group Limited (ASX:WJL) has appointed Nicole Sheffield as Managing Director (MD) and Chief Executive Officer (CEO), effective 20 July 2026. The move follows the Company’s 29 May 2026 announcement of the former MD & CEO’s resignation and the appointment of Layton Shannos as Acting CEO.
The Board described the appointment as the conclusion of a comprehensive search process to secure a permanent successor, positioning Sheffield to lead the travel technology business through what it framed as its next phase of growth.
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A transformation and digital leader with 25+ years’ experience
Sheffield is an accomplished executive with more than 25 years’ experience leading commercial growth, business transformation and digital innovation across some of Australia’s most recognised consumer and technology businesses.
Her career history includes:
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Wesfarmers OneDigital – Managing Director, where she led the Group’s enterprise data and digital strategy, including the OnePass membership programme, the Catch marketplace and the Group’s shared data platform.
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Australia Post – Executive General Manager Community and Customer, leading Australia’s largest retail network of more than 4,400 Post Offices, alongside digital channels and the customer contact centre.
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News Corp Australia – Chief Digital Officer and Chief Executive Officer of NewsLifeMedia.
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Seven West Media and TIAS, the joint venture between Qantas, Air New Zealand and Ansett Australia, in earlier leadership roles.
According to the Company, Sheffield has a strong track record of delivering large-scale transformation and customer-led growth, having built digital platforms, consumer marketplaces, loyalty and membership programs, and enterprise data capabilities. These competencies are directly transferable to Webjet’s growth strategy.
Governance credentials and board experience
Sheffield also brings significant governance experience through non-executive board and advisory roles across listed, private and not-for-profit organisations.
Her governance appointments include:
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Recently stepped down as Chair of the Australian Retail Council.
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Former Chair of the Australian Broadcasting Corporation Advisory Council.
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Former Chair of the Interactive Advertising Bureau Australia.
The Company noted this background provides a strong understanding of board governance, risk management and stakeholder engagement.
What the appointment means for Webjet shareholders
The Board framed Sheffield’s mandate around executing the Company’s strategy, with a focus on sustainable growth, driving operational excellence and innovation, and delivering long-term value. The appointment was positioned as building on strong foundations already in place.
Webjet’s strategic reset earlier in 2026, when the Board walked away from acquisition talks with Helloworld and BGH Capital and resumed a $25 million share buyback, established the organic growth mandate that Sheffield is now being asked to execute.
Dr. Gary Weiss, Interim Chair
“Nicole brings deep commercial, digital, and customer leadership experience… Her track record of leading transformation and delivering sustainable growth makes her well-placed to build on the strong foundations already in place and lead Webjet Group through its next phase of growth.”
Sheffield echoed the growth theme in her own comments on the appointment.
Nicole Sheffield
“Webjet has built one of Australia’s most trusted and recognised travel brands and has a strong platform for future growth… Together, we have an opportunity to make travel planning simpler, more personalised and more rewarding for customers, while delivering sustainable long-term value for our partners and shareholders.”
The Company also thanked Layton Shannos for his leadership as Acting CEO during the interim period.
Understanding CEO remuneration structures
The material terms of Sheffield’s appointment are summarised below.
| Component | Detail |
|---|---|
| Role | Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer |
| Term | No fixed term |
| Total Annual Fixed Remuneration (FAR) | $750,000, inclusive of superannuation (pro-rated in FY27) |
| Short Term Incentive (STI) | On-target 50% FAR, maximum 75% FAR (70% financial / 30% strategic measures) |
| Long Term Incentive (LTI) | On-target grant value 70% FAR, maximum 200% FAR; vesting split 50% relative TSR / 50% underlying diluted EPS growth |
| Notice period | Mutual 6 months |
| Restraints | Non-compete and non-solicitation for 9 months post-termination |
Any grant of performance rights is conditional on shareholder approval, with full FY27 grant details to be provided in the Notice of Meeting for the Annual General Meeting on 27 August 2026. The 50/50 split between relative total shareholder return (TSR) and underlying diluted earnings per share (EPS) growth directly ties the new CEO’s long-term reward to shareholder returns and earnings performance.
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What comes next
Sheffield commences in the role on 20 July 2026, formally beginning her tenure as MD & CEO.
The Virgin Australia commission headwind, estimated at approximately $3.0 million on an annualised FY26 basis and taking effect from 1 July 2026, is among the near-term commercial challenges Sheffield will inherit as she steps into the role.
The next key date for shareholders is the Annual General Meeting on 27 August 2026, where full FY27 LTI grant details will be provided in the Notice of Meeting for the AGM and shareholder approval sought. With the leadership question now resolved, attention turns to how the Company executes its strategy through its next phase of growth.
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