The Nelson Airport Board are pleased to announce that Mark Thompson has been appointed as its new chief executive.
This follows an extensive process to fill the vacancy which was suspended while other shareholder projects were addressed.
Some 87 applicants applied for the position, many of whom were involved in the aviation industry from both Australia and New Zealand.
“It was gratifying to see the high calibre of so many aspirants yet challenging to the diligence required in the selection of an appointee” noted Nelson Airport chair Paul Steere.
Mark has had an extensive international leadership career in logistics, transport, infrastructure, supply chain, and travel.
Commencing in the fledging Courier Industry in the 1980s, Mark joined NZ Post in 1995 as General Manager CourierPost and utilised innovative technology to change the industry, by providing world class customer service to take CourierPost to lead the industry within three years.
Mark successfully took that philosophy to NZ Post acquisitions in Australia, the Philippines and the USA. During his tenure, Mark managed the integrated NZ Post mail and parcel air network – a first for the New Zealand aeronautical industry ensuring reliable overnight delivery across New Zealand.
Returning to New Zealand in 2015 as general manager Interislander, Mark substantially improved performance across the breadth of key strategic imperatives, ranging from financial, service reliability and timeliness, customer satisfaction and spend, health and safety, plus future proofing ship and terminal replacement requirements for the next 50 years.
Mark’s current role is general manager logistics at Centrepoint where he has been responsible for developing and implementing the regeneration plan post the 2016 Earthquake. Mark will commence with Nelson Airport in early September.
“Mark brings a range of qualities and experiences beyond previous leaders,” says Paul, “we are confident and encouraged that his skills will meet the expected challenges of revenue growth, infrastructure development, climate change and growing stakeholder engagement for the next decade and beyond."
Mark and his wife already live in the Tasman region in Redwood Valley, with Mark having commuted to Wellington for the last four years.
“I am very proud to be appointed to this key role at Nelson Airport," says Mark.
"I arrive with the ambition to make it an iconic brand that delivers prosperity and sustainability to the region and ensure both current and future generations are proud of what we do."
