Long-serving Qantas director Todd Sampson has announced his departure from the board as chair John Mullen overhauls the executive team in a bid to restore the airline’s reputation.

Mr Sampson will retire at the end of July, with Dion Weisler — former boss of information technology firm HP — set to take his place as an independent non-executive director.

Mr Mullen on Monday said a “refreshed board and executive team” would help Qantas “regain its place as one of Australia’s most trusted brands”.

Best known as a panellist on the ABC’s Gruen programs, Mr Sampson joined the Qantas board in February 2015 when then-chair Leigh Clifford declared his appointment would add to the airline’s marketing expertise.

But the former ad-man received nearly 34 per cent of votes against his re-election at the company’s annual general meeting in 2023, with critics questioning his marketing expertise amid the collapse of the airline’s reputation.

Mr Mullen on Monday said Mr Sampson’s guidance and insights have been deeply appreciated “during one of the most challenging periods in airline history”.

“On behalf of the board, I’d like to express our gratitude to Todd for his contributions over the past ten years,” he said.

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