Air NZ exec restructure

AIR New Zealand has announced a “streamlining” of its executive ranks as it grapples with the fallout of COVID-19, reducing its executive team by a third.

The changes will see Chief Strategy Networks and Alliances Officer Nick Judd depart on 31 May, Chief Air Operations and People Safety Officer John Whittaker move on from 31 Jul, and Chief Marketing and Customer Officer Mike Tod step down from the role in exchange for a part-time advisory role.

The portfolios of the three departing execs will be absorbed by the remaining team members.

Chief Executive Officer Greg Foran said the drastic changes were necessary as the carrier continues to adapt to being a much smaller operation in the wake of the pandemic.

“As we have done in all parts of our business, we are creating the structure that is appropriate for an airline which we expect will take two years to get back to 70% of its former size,” he said.

“On that basis I have reduced the size of the executive team from nine to six,” he added.

Foran also spoke in glowing terms about the three departing executives, who between them boast 68 years of service.

“In my short time at Air NZ, they have been incredibly helpful to me as I have settled into the role and their deep experience has been vital as we’ve navigated through a most tumultuous past 100 days,” he said.

“Mike, John and Nick are going to be deeply missed and they have interacted with thousands of our Air New Zealand whanau, near and wide over many years.”

The NZ executive team now comprises Chief Revenue Officer, Cam Wallace; CFO Jeff McDowall; Chief Operations Officer, David Morgan; Chief Digital Officer, Jennifer Sepull; Chief People Officer, Joe McCollum and Chief Ground Operations Officer, Carrie Hurihanganui.

After thinning the top ranks of the carrier, Foran will now commence a formal review of Air NZ’s Senior Leadership Team.