Auckland businessman Mark Ford dies

Auckland businessman Mark Ford has died after serious illness.

Auckland mayor Len Brown confirmed Mr Ford's passing this morning in a tweet acknowledging his years of service to Auckland.

Mr Ford, 64, was chief executive of Watercare but stood down recently because of illness after being appointed in 1994.

For the same reason, he resigned as chairman of Solid Energy in March after overseeing a restructuring programme.

He was the driving force in the management changes to create the Auckland super city and was also involved with the Stronger Christchurch Infrastructure Rebuild Team.

In a statement, Watercare chairman David Clarke paid tribute to Mr Ford.

"Mark leaves a significant legacy of achievement, both at Watercare and in the broader business community,"

In announcing Mr Ford's retirement in mid-September, Mr Clarke said:

“This is an especially sad day for Watercare. Mark has an exceptional knowledge of the water industry and under his stewardship the company has become recognised globally as an example of best practice in the provision of water supply and wastewater services.

“Since Mark was first appointed chief executive in 1994, Auckland’s water and wastewater infrastructure has become significantly more robust and resilient; able to cope with the demands of a growing population and increasingly strict environmental standards."

Environmental Defence Society chairman Gary Taylor, who had previously served as a director with Ford and was also on the board of Watercare when he was chief executive, said he was a hugely talented individual.

“He had an acute understanding of the importance of risk management, including professional risk. He had a profound influence on Auckland,” Taylor said.

Ford also had a professional reach to politicians across the spectrum, despite his own more right-wing views, he said.  He was also a hard task-master, Taylor said.

“He was tough and exacting and precise. As a director of a company where he was working as a chief executive, you had to be constantly on your toes to keep up.”

Mr Ford’s legacy includes many complex and significant projects including:

• the $500-million upgrade of the Mangere Wastewater Treatment Plant and associated restoration of Manukau Harbour wetlands and surrounds;
• the commissioning of the Waikato River water pipeline and treatment plant along with resolution of complex resource consent and tangata whenua issues;
• the $120-million construction of a high-capacity tunnel and pump station to replace an aging sewer pipe that bisected Hobson Bay and a pump station that overflowed during wet weather;
• the transformation from a bulk water supply company to an integrated bulk and retail service provider for all of Auckland;
• the delivery of a $116-million project to connect the townships of Franklin to the metropolitan supply, overcoming long-standing quality and supply issues.

Mr Brown recorded his appreciation of Mr Ford’s many years of service to Auckland, including in securing safe and reliable water supplies, overseeing the implementation of the new Auckland Council and serving as chairman of Auckland Transport.

“He has played a hugely important part in ensuring the well-being of Aucklanders,” Mr Brown said.

Mr Ford was chief executive of Watercare from 1994 until June 2009 when he resigned to accept the government’s invitation to become the executive chairman of the Auckland Transition Agency, the body responsible for planning and managing the creation of the super city.

On completion of that in November 2010, he rejoined Watercare and continued to serve as chief executive until his retirement.

(With reporting from BusinessDesk)