Ryanair appoints Carol Sharkey as chief risk officer

Budget airline Ryanair has appointed Carol Sharkey as chief risk officer, joining its senior management team.

Sharkey, who is currently the company’s director of safety and security, will assume responsibility for all of the airline’s operational risk assessment and will report directly to the chief executive.

She has worked at Ryanair since 1995, having previously held roles in inflight, flight operations and in recent years has overseen the flight safety department.

CEO Michael O'Leary said: "I am pleased to announce the promotion of Carol Sharkey to the role of chief risk officer and welcome her to the senior management team. Carol has an encyclopaedic knowledge of our business and how we deliver controlled growth safely, and her expertise particularly in the area of operations and safety will ensure she plays a key role in our future growth to some 600 aircraft and over 200m customers per annum."

Sharkey said: "I am very happy to join the senior management team. It's an exciting time for Ryanair as we continue to grow and expand our operations across Europe and I look forward to working with all of the team and the board to maintain and develop Ryanair's industry leading safety record."

At 1315 BST, the shares were down 1.6% to €16.38.