Auckland International Airport director appointments

Manukau City Council welcomes the appointment of its nominee John Brabazon to the Auckland International Airport Limited board of directors.



“We are also pleased to see Lloyd Morrison and Richard Didsbury on the board, as well as the return of Joan Withers,” Mayor Len Brown says.



The council had voted for all four at today’s Annual General Meeting. That around 700 people were at the AGM, many from Manukau, indicated the intense public interest in the airport and its future direction.



“It is important that we have the most appropriate directors on a major public company such as AIAL.



“The new directors all have extensive governance and commercial experience, and they will add knowledge and expertise to the board. This is vital, given the challenges facing the company,” Mr Brown says.



John Brabazon’s broad commercial experience including within banking and with Brierley Investments, as well as with his present role with DBB Capital Ltd, will be particularly valuable. During the past two years he has also developed a strong understanding of the issues facing the airport going into the future.



“Lloyd Morrison’s vision for the airport is consistent with the council’s and his extensive commercial experience and knowledge of infrastructure including airports will be of value to the board,” Mr Brown says.



Richard Didsbury’s extensive property expertise as the founder of Kiwi Income Property Trust will support the company’s further development of its substantial land holdings.



“We are also pleased to see Joan Withers returning to the board. She is an experienced and highly respected chief executive and company director. While we are pleased there will be new perspectives and views at the board table, Joan’s long history with AIAL, having been appointed to the board in 1997, brings an important continuity.”



Mr Brown said it was now up to the board to coalesce quickly into a solid team.



“We will be looking to them to bring strong direction and advice to shareholders in respect to current and future proposals for the airport.”