Qantas Chairman Leigh Clifford will step down from the national carrier in October 2018, after 11 years in the role.

Current board member, Richard Goyder, will assume the role of Qantas Chairman following the AGM on 26 October.

Mr Clifford became Chairman of Qantas in November 2007. He led the Board through one of the most transformative periods in the airline’s 98 year history and to record levels of profitability, employee engagement and customer satisfaction.

Announcing his retirement as Chairman, Mr Clifford said: “It has been an absolute privilege to lead the Qantas Board for these past 11 years. The national carrier has never been in a stronger position and that’s a credit to the management team and the 30,000 employees that make up the Qantas Group family.

“Richard is one of the most experienced business leaders in Australia and an excellent choice to lead the Qantas Board into the future.”

Mr Goyder joined the Qantas Board in November 2017 after serving as CEO of Wesfarmers Limited for 12 years. His other roles include Chairman of Woodside Petroleum Limited and the Australian Football League.

Mr Goyder said: “Qantas is an iconic Australian company and one of the best performing airline groups in the world. I’m honoured to be named its Chairman and look forward to working with my Board colleagues to help it take advantage of the opportunities ahead.”

The October 2018 AGM will mark the end of Leigh Clifford’s current three-year term on the Qantas Board.