“I am bad at comfortable office work”

Following his departure from the helm of Play airline in March 2024, Birgir Jónsson has emerged from a period of rest, signaling his readiness for his next professional challenge. Having spent time in Spain, Jónsson took to LinkedIn to announce his availability, emphasizing that he is not seeking a "comfortable office job" but rather thrives in environments demanding significant change and restructuring.

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I am little busy. I was completely exhausted after Play. It was a terribly difficult task. I have done some consulting work but have not been working as such. We have a retreat here in Spain where we have been more or less since I quit.

Jónsson's career trajectory, marked by leadership roles at Iceland Post and Wow air, has consistently involved navigating complex and often turbulent business landscapes. He characterizes his ideal role as akin to an emergency room specialist, adept at merging, reorganizing, and downsizing operations – tasks he successfully undertook at both Iceland Post and Play. This self-assessment highlights a unique skill set focused on crisis management and corporate transformation.

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I am always in trouble. When I was at the Post Office, my job was to turn things around and change them. That was also the case at Play. If I were a doctor, I would be a specialist in the emergency room. I thrive in chaos where things need to be merged, reorganized, and downsized.

Beyond his corporate endeavors, Jónsson's personal life includes a long-standing, albeit recently strained, involvement with the Icelandic rock band Dimma. His candid reflections on the internal conflicts within the band, particularly the public dispute involving former singer Stefán Jakobsson, underscore his ability to articulate difficult situations with a blend of personal feeling and professional detachment. As he now looks for his next venture, Jónsson's reputation as a turnaround specialist, coupled with his direct communication style, positions him as a notable figure seeking to apply his expertise in demanding new roles within the Icelandic business community or beyond.

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I can't see, I have difficulty seeing that this will work out after this. It's primarily incredibly unpleasant. My best friends are fighting in the media. It's hard to change a singer in a rock band.