Air NZ's Rob Fyfe named top business executive

“Inspirational leadership” through a period of extraordinary economic turbulence has seen Air New Zealand ceo Rob Fyfe named as the country’s top business executive for 2009.

The honour was announced last night at the annual Deloitte Management magazine Top 200 Company Awards, now in their 20th year.

The Air New Zealand high-flyer took the title ahead of Jim Delegat, managing director at Delegat’s Group, and Transpower New Zealand chief executive Patrick Strange.

The award judges – Rob Challinor, Roger Kerr and Alison Paterson – said Mr Fyfe’s open and very personal style of leadership had been inspirational for the airline as he had fronted up in the toughest of times, while also demonstrating a keen sense of strategy in repositioning the Air New Zealand brand to best suit today’s marketplace.

Judges said Mr Fyfe’s influence has had a dramatic and positive effect on the operational performance of the company and its people despite an extraordinarily difficult operating environment.

Also honoured was Abano Healthcare Group, which was named company of the year, while Ralph Norris was named chief executive of the decade after his leadership at ASB Bank, Air New Zealand and Commonwealth Bank of Australia.

Air New Zealand and Solid energy chairman John Palmer was named chairperson of the year and Delegat’s Group picked up the award for most improved performance.