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Adelaide Airport has appointed a new Board Chair as Rob Chapman prepares to depart.
Mike Hirst, a board member of Adelaide Airport since 2023, will take over from Chapman in late November, bringing “more than 40 years of experience in board and senior executive leadership roles within retail banking, treasury, funds management and financial markets”.
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“He is currently AMP Chair and was Managing Director of Bendigo and Adelaide Bank from 2009 to 2018, leading the bank through the Global Financial Crisis and substantially growing its retail base,” the airport said in a press release.
“Prior roles included senior executive and management positions with Colonial Limited, Westpac Banking Corporation and Chase AMP Bank.
“Mr Hirst was a Commissioner on the Federal Government’s National COVID-19 Commission Advisory Board, a member of the Federal Government’s Financial Sector Advisory Council and was Deputy Chair of the Australian Banking Association, Racing Victoria and Treasury Corporation of Victoria.
“His previous directorships include Colonial First State, Colonial Stadium and Barwon Health. He holds a Bachelor of Commerce at Melbourne University.”
According to outgoing chair Chapman, Hirst is “perfectly suited as Board Chair” due to his banking and finance knowledge, as well as his experience in various directorships.
“Mr Hirst has an enviable reputation in Australia’s finance sector having led one of Australia’s biggest banks outside of the ‘big four’. He is currently AMP Chair, and is on the Board of GMHBA Health Insurance and AMCIL,” said Chapman.
“Mr Hirst has made an exemplary contribution since his appointment to the Adelaide Airport Board in 2023 at a time when Adelaide Airport has seen record passenger numbers and committed to a $600m aeronautical infrastructure program.
“He has chaired the Audit and Compliance Committee and brings a wealth of strategic thinking in financial and capital markets, risk management, corporate governance, and strategic and operational planning.”
Adelaide Airport managing director Brenton Cox thanked Chapman for his leadership during his tenure.
“Mr Chapman has provided incredible mentorship and stewardship through a period of significant highs and lows – from our terminal expansion, property growth and international network expansion through to navigating the COVID pandemic, which had a massive impact on the aviation industry.
“We look forward to further celebrating Mr Chapman’s contribution to South Australian aviation around the time of his final Adelaide Airport Board meeting later this year.”
Adelaide Airport saw record passenger numbers in July 2026, and earlier this year saw its busiest ever week thanks in part to a boost from the 2026 AFL Gather Round event.
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