Qantas has fast-tracked the start date for Richard Goyder's successor, with new Chairman John Mullen to commence with the board on Monday.

The timing of the latest announcement comes as Goyder faces a shareholder revolt as chair of Woodside Energy over the energy company's climate policy.

In an update posted to the Australian Stock Exchange (ASX) the company outlined Mullen would be commencing months ahead of his original start date on 1 July 2024. His position in the board will be put to a shareholder vote at the Qantas annual general meeting in

Goyder resigned from as Qantas chair in late 2023 amidst a series of controversies impacting the airline's reputation, with Australian consumers frustrated with mounting airfares, flight delays, and allegations Qantas had sold tickets for cancelled flights. The issues came to a head in September with the abrupt exit of former CEO Alan Joyce.

Qantas announced the appointment of Mullen in February, at the same time as appointing new board member Nora Scheinkestel to the board as Chair of the Remuneration Committee.

"It’s an extraordinary privilege to take up the chairmanship of the national carrier. It is a company that I have admired all my life and I am greatly looking forward to helping Vanessa and the management team take the company to new heights of service and performance excellence," said Mullen at the time of his appointment.

“Qantas has consistently featured as one of the world’s very best airlines, and now that the pandemic is behind us and the airline industry gets back closer to normal, I have every confidence that Qantas will continue to excel. I am honoured to become a part of this journey.”

Already the chairman of Treasurey Wine Estates, Toll Group and Brambles, Mullen has said he expects to reduce his existing professional commitments over time.