Queenstown Lakes District Council has appointed experienced business and governance professional Jacqueline Cheyne to the Board of Directors for Queenstown Airport Corporation, and also reappointed existing director Simon Flood for a second term.
Mayor Glyn Lewers confirmed that Councillors agreed unanimously to adopt the QLDC Governance Subcommittee’s recommendations during a public excluded session of the Full Council meeting on Thursday, October 19.
Jacqueline was the subcommittee’s preferred candidate for the vacant directorship and it also recommended that existing deputy chair Simon Flood was reappointed for a further standard term of four years.
“With all details now finalised I’d like to formally congratulate Jackie and Simon on their appointment and reappointment respectively,” says Mayor Lewers.
“As well as Jackie’s business acumen and current directorships, I’ve been particularly impressed by her expertise in understanding and managing climate risk. This aligns with our own climate action commitments and the district’s destination management plan that aims to achieve regenerative tourism and a carbon zero visitor economy by 2030.”
“I look forward to welcoming Jackie to the board,” says QAC chair Adrienne Young-Cooper.
“Her extensive governance experience and expertise in sustainability, climate risk and adaptation will be valuable as we progress the important planning and infrastructure projects we have ahead of us.”
Jacqueline, who lives in the Upper Clutha, says she is looking forward to working with her fellow board members on behalf of QAC’s shareholders: QLDC and Auckland International Airport Ltd.
“I’m delighted to be joining the board of Queenstown Airport Corporation. This is a critically important asset for the district and I look forward to working with my fellow board members in continually strengthening the airport’s role in facilitating resilience and sustainable visitor management, as well as providing a welcoming experience for our customers,” she says.
Jacqueline fills the vacancy created by the resignation from the QAC board of Anne Urlwin in February.
All shortlisted candidates were interviewed by the subcommittee and then resolved to recommend Jacqueline for the position at its meeting on September 7.