QLDC confirms new chair for Queenstown Airport board

Existing director and deputy chair Simon Flood has been promoted to chair the Queenstown Airport Corporation's board of directors.

The Queenstown Lakes District Council, a majority shareholder in the airport, has announced the appointment in a statement released on Monday afternoon.

Mayor Glyn Lewers says Mr Flood was recommended for the role by the council's governance subcommittee after an extensive and robust recruitment process facilitated by external recruitment consultants.

The decision by the mayor and councillors to adopt the recommendation was made during a closed-door section of a full council meeting held on Thursday, September 19.

“I would like to take this opportunity to formally congratulate Simon," Mayor Lewers says in the statement.

"As QAC gets well underway with the implementation of its aspirational masterplan, Simon brings to the chair a wealth of experience, strong leadership and continuity for both the board and the company."

The subcommittee's decision was an unanimous one, and the mayor says it reflects Mr Flood's "depth in safety and operations, financial acumen and overall understanding of the business and industry".

"He has continued to focus on a positive relationship with council and regularly fronts up with councillors at meetings and workshops."

Mr Flood’s election will be formalised at the airport corporation's annual general meeting scheduled for the end of October, when current chair Adrienne Young-Cooper will step down having completed the maximum number of terms constitutionally allowed for.

Airport chief executive Glen Sowry has extended his congratulations to Mr Flood on his appointment.

"Simon has demonstrated a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities Queenstown Airport faces in the years ahead," he says in the statement released by the council.

"With a clearly defined 10-year strategy and master plan, the broad depth of experience and capability Simon brings to the leadership of the organisation will be invaluable to ensuring the airport is able to best serve the region in the future."

Mr Flood joined the board of directors at the end of 2019.

His profile on the airport's website describes him as "an experienced business leader with more than 25 years in the global investment management industry, having held a variety of senior leadership roles in London, Hong Kong and Singapore".

In the council statement, Mr Flood says it has been a "privilege to work under the leadership of Adrienne Young-Cooper who has contributed so much to the board and the business during her tenure and leaves the business in a much stronger place".

"As a local, I recognise the importance of Queenstown Airport to our community, acting as it does as a gateway to the region for both our fellow Kiwis, as well as those who travel sometimes thousands of miles just to have the opportunity to take in the beauty of the place we call home.

"As we look to the future, there is much to do as we embark on the delivery of the masterplan while continuing to serve the air transport connectivity needs that are so important to the region.

"My colleagues on the board and I take our responsibility as custodians of the airport very seriously and we look forward to working with QAC’s outstanding team led by Glen Sowry as we work together to ensure that our airport remains an asset that our communities love to travel through as well as take pride in."

The internal promotion vacates a space on the board that will need filling, and the council indicates a process towards a further appointment has begun.

Main image: Simon Flood