From Graduate to Regional General Manager

A Chat with Ashley Howell, Our New Regional General Manager for the Americas

We sat down with Ashley Howell, who recently stepped into the role of Regional General Manager (RGM) for the Americas. Ashley began his career at Qantas through the Graduate Program 17 years ago and has since built a varied and successful career across Freight, HR, and Global Sales. His journey at Qantas has given him a unique perspective and a passion for building strong teams and fostering customer loyalty.

Can you tell us a bit about your journey at Qantas?

I’ve had the privilege of spending the last 17 years building a diverse and rewarding career across the Qantas Group. My journey began with a two-year rotation in the Qantas Graduate Program, which provided me with a great holistic view of the business. Since then, I’ve been fortunate enough to work in several areas of the company, including Corporate and Agency Sales, People & Culture, Qantas Freight, and now, the Americas.

What experiences have shaped your leadership style and prepared you for the role of Regional General Manager of the Americas?

Looking back, two roles stand out as particularly formative. The first was joining Qantas Freight as Head of Global Sales & Customer in 2021, during a period of rapid demand driven by the COVID pandemic. Leading the Freight Leadership Team through such unprecedented change was an invaluable experience. The second was my time as Head of People, Culture & Transformation. It helped shape my leadership approach, emphasising collaboration, and I’m excited to bring that same mindset to the Americas.

How do you approach leadership in your new role?

Throughout my career at Qantas, I’ve learned that success comes from putting customers first. In the aviation industry, where competition is fierce, customer loyalty is never guaranteed. It’s essential to build a culture that invests in our people—because when our team thrives, our customers do too. This is the approach I will bring to my leadership in the Americas.

What are you most excited about in your new role?

Supporting Project Sunrise (Sydney–New York direct flights) is set to be a game-changer for global aviation, and it’s an iconic moment in Qantas’ history. I’m excited to be part of that.

Ashley Howell, Head of Global Sales & Customer