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James Young has been appointed the new CEO of Airways New Zealand – after eight months of working the role in an acting capacity.
The former KPMG director replaces Graeme Sumner, who left the organisation after five years in the top job in June last year.
Airways is New Zealand’s air navigation service provider and is responsible for 30km square of airspace, one of the largest in the world.
Sumner’s exit came after plans to remove air traffic control services at a number of locations were dramatically scaled back.
Airways had hoped to cut air traffic control services at Hawke’s Bay, Gisborne, New Plymouth, Rotorua and Invercargill and withdraw flight information services at Kapiti Airport and Milford Sound Piopiotahi Aerodrome.
However, a review resulted in a reversal of the decision to close towers at Hawke’s Bay, Rotorua, New Plymouth and Invercargill.
Airways New Zealand chair Denise Church said, “Mr Young’s appointment follows a robust recruitment process which attracted high calibre international and local candidates.
“I am delighted we have appointed James as our new chief executive. James brings extensive aviation and leadership experience to this role, including nine years experience as Airways’ chief financial officer and, most recently, as acting chief executive.
“This experience has shone through while James has been acting chief executive.”
James has previously been the COO at AXA Investment Managers Asia and a director at KPMG in Wellington, advising on organisation structure, finance and investment.
“Airways manages one of the largest airspaces in the world,” said Young. “I am excited about the opportunity to lead the company and our people and take a system-wide approach by working collaboratively with our customers and stakeholders in what is a changing aviation environment.”
Airways currently employs 780 staff who provide air navigation and air traffic management consultancy and training services throughout New Zealand and in over 65 countries.
Its controllers work from its radar centres in Christchurch, its Oceanic Control centre in Auckland and 17 control towers throughout New Zealand.
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says:I truly wish Mr. Young well as I can empathise with him. I mean, in the first place he wasn’t NZ’s first choice so they appointed him to the position in an acting capacity pending the boards continuing search for their preferred applicant. As is published, after 8 months in the role the boards search for an alternative was in vain so they gave up and confirmed James in the role. NZ has a recent history of this action, certainly not a good look from any perspective and clearly there is a lack of confidence and support, to a degree, in him. So as well as trying to support and enhance the companies image and operations poor old James has to watch his back as well. I think we will have to have a look at he Board’s makeup here as it would appear their radar needs to be focused further ahead or, turn it on.