Quote:
1 May 2017
RT HON JOHN KEY JOINING THE BOARD OF AIR NEW ZEALAND
The Air New Zealand Board is appointing former Prime Minister John Key as a
Director effective from September 1.
Chairman Tony Carter says the Board has been actively searching for a
Director with strong international business experience and a deep knowledge
of tourism for around a year.
"Air New Zealand is one of the world's best airlines and the growth of its
international operations around the Pacific Rim is an area of strong focus.
The Board identified last year that the addition of a Director with
international experience would be important to supporting the Chief Executive
Officer and his Executive team as they take our award-winning airline into
the future. We also identified that the ideal candidate would have a strong
empathy for the tourism industry," Mr Carter says.
"When John Key announced he was stepping down as Prime Minister and moving to
a new phase of life outside of politics, it became a priority for the Board
to try and secure his services as a Director. John will bring extensive
international commercial experience, outstanding leadership skills, global
perspective and a keen understanding of the tourism sector gained during the
years he was Tourism Minister as well as Prime Minister of New Zealand."
Mr Key says he is delighted to have been approached by the Air New Zealand
Board to join it as a Director.
"Air New Zealand is an incredible company that has significant opportunities
ahead of it and I look forward to working with the Board, Chief Executive
Officer and his Executive team to see it fulfil its potential," Mr Key says.
Air New Zealand is also announcing that its longest serving Director Paul
Bingham will be retiring at the Annual Shareholders' Meeting in September.
Excellent appointment in my view. Not usually a fan of ex politicians being appointed to boards of companies but happy to make an exception in this case.