Cathay Pacific chairman John Slosar steps down

HONG KONG — Cathay Pacific announced Wednesday its chairman John Slosar is stepping down to retire, the latest high-profile executive to leave the flagship carrier after it drew Beijing’s ire over pro-democracy protests in Hong Kong.

In a statement posted on the Hong Kong stock exchange, Cathay said Slosar, 63, had stepped down and will be replaced as chairman by Patrick Healy, a veteran from the Swire Group conglomerate, the airline’s majority shareholder.

“His resignation is due to his retirement,” the statement said, adding that the changes would take effect from 6 November at the conclusion of the company’s board meeting.