News Releases

CALGARY, Sept. 23, 2015 /CNW/ - WestJet Airlines Ltd. (TSX:WJA) today announced the appointment of Harry Taylor to the position of Executive Vice President, Finance, and Chief Financial Officer, effective October 26, 2015.

Harry brings over 20 years of senior financial, operational and strategic experience in the retail and consumer products industries. He joins WestJet from Canadian Tire Corporation where he has worked since 2010, most recently in the position of Senior Vice President, Finance. Prior to his work with Canadian Tire, Harry was CFO with Holt Renfrew and held senior leadership positions with The Home Depot and PepsiCo. In addition to his retail and consumer goods experience, Harry spent eight years in consulting and client service positions with McKinsey & Company and Ernst & Young.

"I am pleased to welcome Harry to the WestJet team", said Gregg Saretsky, WestJet President and CEO. "Harry's extensive financial background combined with his strong retail and operational experience will aid us tremendously as we write the next chapter."

"I am honoured and excited to join WestJet at such an exciting time," said Harry Taylor. "WestJet's commitment to great guest experience, being a great place to work and delivering great returns to shareholders is unsurpassed in the airline industry. I look forward to helping the superb WestJet leadership team and all WestJetters grow the WestJet network and treat more guests to WestJet's caring and friendly guest experience."

As Executive Vice President, Finance, and Chief Financial Officer, Harry will be a key member of WestJet's executive team responsible for overall financial management of the airline, its financial reporting and analysis and long-term financial planning as well as for multiple corporate functions including Controllership, Treasury, Tax, Investor Relations, Supply Chain, and Audit and Advisory. Harry is a chartered accountant and holds a bachelor of commerce degree from Trinity College, University of Toronto and a masters in business administration from the University of Western Ontario.

About WestJet
We are proud to be Canada's highest-rated airline for customer service, powered by an award-winning culture of care and recognized as one of the country's top employers. We offer scheduled service to 100 destinations in North America, Central America, the Caribbean and Europe. Through our regional airline, WestJet Encore, and with partnerships with airlines representing every major region of the world, we offer our guests more than 150 destinations in more than 20 countries. Leveraging WestJet's extensive network, flight schedule and remarkable guest experience, WestJet Vacations delivers affordable, flexible travel experiences with a variety of accommodation options for every guest. Members of our WestJet Rewards program earn WestJet dollars on flights, vacation packages and more. Our members use WestJet dollars towards the purchase of WestJet flights and vacation packages on any day, at any time, to any WestJet destination with no blackout periods  ̶  even on seat sales. For more information about everything WestJet, please visit westjet.com.

Recent recognition includes:

2015 Best Employers in Canada (Aon Hewitt)
2015/2014/2013 WestJet RBC World Elite MasterCard ranked #1 in Canada (MoneySense magazine)
2014/2013 WestJet RBC World Elite MasterCard ranked #1 in the Canada's Choice ranking (RewardsCanada.ca)
2014 Interbrand Canada's Best Canadian Brands (Rank #20)
2014 Brands of the Year (Strategy magazine)
2014 Canada's Most Preferred Airline (Ipsos)
2014 Value Airline of the Year (Air Transport World magazine)
2014/2013/2012 Canada's Most Attractive Employer (Randstad)
2014/2013/2012/2011 Highest equity score: airline, vacation package supplier brands (Harris/Decima EquiTrend Study)

SOURCE WestJet

Image with caption: "WestJet's new executive vice-president, finance, and chief financial officer is Harry Taylor. He will join the airline October 26. (CNW Group/WestJet)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20150923_C9849_PHOTO_EN_44235.jpg