Wellington Airport Announces New Director and Aspiring Directors Programme

This is a supplied media release

Wellington International Airport Limited (WIA) is pleased to announce the appointment of Phil Walker to the WIA Board with effect from 1 November 2016.

Mr Walker is an Executive at H.R.L. Morrison & Co and is also an Alternate Director at Perth International Airport. He will officially be appointed to the Board at the WIA November Board meeting when Steve Fitzgerald will retire as a Director.

Chairman Tim Brown said “We want to recognise and thank Steve Fitzgerald for the valuable role he played in the development of the airport through a significant period of growth as both Chief Executive and then Director of Wellington Airport.”

“We also want to welcome Phil Walker to the Board, who has over 40 years of experience in the aviation sector including senior roles in both airline and airport management.”

Mr Walker’s experience includes six years as Chief Executive at Brisbane International Airport and 20 years with Qantas, including 4 years as manager of Qantas’ Australian airport operations.  He has also held Non-Executive Board positions at airports in Australia, New Zealand, UK and Europe.

Mr Walker previously headed H.R.L. Morrison & Co’s airport investment group and was responsible for over 40 airport appraisals globally, including both private equity and listed investment opportunities.

The Airport is also introducing an Aspiring Directors Programme. Andrew Lamb, General Manager Development for Infratil Infrastructure Property, will start as the first Cadet and he will join the Board as an Observer, no voting rights or fees. Andrew will commence his Cadetship at the August 2016 Board meeting and end his Cadetship in December 2017, when WIA will look for another Aspiring Director to gain experience.

Andrew has over 25 years in the property sector and is responsible for all property development activity and value add opportunities of Infratil Property, involving master planning, consenting and development of key projects. His experience includes land development, commercial office, industrial parks and mixed use developments. Andrew has a strong interest in health and safety management and also serves as a Chair on the Auckland Urban Design Panel.