Kate Ling has been promoted to Senior Vice President – People Operations at Qatar Airways, marking another significant milestone in her career spanning international human resources, shared services, business transformation and organisational leadership. Based in Doha, Qatar, Ling assumed her new position in October 2026, following more than six years of progressive leadership responsibilities with the airline.
Ling takes on her new role after serving as Vice President, GBS Outstation Services at Qatar Airways from January 2023 to October 2026. During this period, she gained extensive experience in global business services, operational management and cross-functional coordination, building on her established background in international human resources leadership.
Before becoming Vice President, GBS Outstation Services, Ling held the position of Head of Shared Services for Europe, the Americas and Africa at Qatar Airways. Based in Greater London, she was responsible for regional shared services leadership across multiple international markets, further developing her experience in managing complex organisational functions and supporting business operations.
Ling initially joined Qatar Airways in May 2020 as Senior Manager, Business Change. This appointment marked the beginning of her career with the airline, bringing her extensive experience in organisational transformation and international human resources management into its business operations.
Before joining Qatar Airways, Ling spent more than 11 years with British Airways, where she served as Head of International Human Resources at British Airways, based at Heathrow, London. In this role, she was responsible for managing the airline’s international HR function across more than 70 countries. Her responsibilities included overseeing international shared services, the reward function and teams of international HR business partners supporting significant organisational change programmes across the airline.
Her earlier responsibilities at British Airways included the position of Head of HR covering international regions including Europe, Asia Pacific, Africa and Latin America, beginning in January 2009. Through these leadership roles, Ling developed extensive experience in international workforce management, employee relations, HR operations, organisational change and the coordination of people functions across geographically diverse markets.
Her progression through British Airways and Qatar Airways reflects a professional career combining human resources leadership with business operations, shared services and organisational transformation. This experience has provided her with an understanding of both people management and the operational requirements of major international airline organisations.
In her new position, Ling returns to the human resources function after several years working across Global Business Services at Qatar Airways. Her experience in finance-related operations and shared services has strengthened her commercial perspective, particularly in areas such as financial discipline, operational efficiency, accountability and data-informed decision-making.
Her appointment brings together experience in international HR management, organisational change, business transformation and operational leadership. Having worked across several regions and held senior positions at two major international airlines, Ling brings a broad professional background to her expanded responsibilities at Qatar Airways.
The promotion represents another important stage in a career developed through leadership roles in global aviation, reflecting her progression from international HR management to senior executive responsibility within Qatar Airways’ People Operations function.
Tourism Insights congratulates Kate Ling on her appointment as Senior Vice President – People Operations at Qatar Airways and extends best wishes for continued success in her new leadership role.
About People on the Move
People on the Move is an initiative by Tourism Insights, a SECP-registered tourism think tank and hospitality media platform, spotlighting leadership appointments and career milestones across the global tourism and hospitality industry.
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