LIAT CEO quits

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ST JOHN’S – The board of directors of the regional airline, LIAT, has not accepted the resignation of the airline’s chief executive officer, Prime Minister Gaston Browne has said.

David Evans, who joined the airline in 2014, had on Monday tendered his resignation, following what informed sources said was a “stormy board of directors meeting” in Barbados last Thursday.

Browne, whose government is one of the four shareholder governments of the financially troubled airline, said he has been informed that the airline’s board of directors had not accepted the resignation.

He said the issue will be discussed on Wednesday at a meeting of the airline and the possibility of the British national with more than 35 years experience in senior roles within the aviation industry, remaining on the job.

“I was told that his resignation has not been formally accepted and I understand there will be a meeting tomorrow to reconcile their differences. So perhaps after all he may remain with the airline,” Browne said on Observer radio.

LIAT Communication’s manager Desmond Browne had on Monday promised that “the company will issue a statement in due course”. He has since said a statement will be issued after Wednesday’s meeting.

Evans assumed the chief executive responsibilities from Julie Reifer-Jones, who had been Acting CEO since the resignation of Captain Ian Brunton in September 2013.

The airline is owned by the governments of Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Dominica and St Vincent and the Grenadines. (CMC)