(Yicai Global) July 18 -- Chen Feng, the new chairman at HNA Group has made his first appearance since taking the reins of the Chinese conglomerate amid reports of a boardroom-level director change.

Chen, who took the helm after after his fellow co-founder Wang Jian died in an accidental fall in France on July 3, attended the Skytrax Awards on behalf of the group's flagship carrier Hainan Airlines. His appearance indicated that the group is keen on quickly returning to normal operations following the tragedy.

The Haikou-based group has also reorganized its boardroom and brought in one new director while also redefining the titles of founders, Yicai Global learned from a series of internal documents.

Hainan Airlines Chairman Bao Qifa joins the board of directors of HNA Group as a new member. Having worked for HNA Group since 1993, the 54-year-old is seen as the old head of group's aviation unit. The shake-up also includes the replacement of the positions of 'co-founders' Chen, Wang, Li Xianhua and Chen Wenli with the titles 'major founder' and 'important founder'.

Editor: William Clegg