Former NZ yachtsman to lead airport corporation
AUCKLAND businessman Glen Sowry is the new chief executive of Queenstown Airport Corporation (QAC) and will move with his family to Queenstown to take up the role in midSeptember.
Mr Sowry’s appointment was announced by QAC board chairwoman Adrienne YoungCooper yesterday.
He replaces Colin Keel, who led the Queenstown Lakes District Councilcontrolled company for the last five years and recently moved to Auckland. Mr Sowry was the chief executive of Metlifecare, a retirement care business.
He held that role for five years before leaving in March.
Before that, he was chief executive of Housing New Zealand (now Kainga Ora).
He also spent a decade in a range of senior management roles at Air New Zealand, including three years as general manager operations, leading a large team across New Zealand, Australia and the Pacific Islands.
Early in his career he was a professional yachtsman and competed for New Zealand in the America’s Cup, the Whitbread Race and the Olympics.
Since making a transition to business, he has held roles with Telecom, TVNZ, the Sir Peter Blake Trust and Yachting New Zealand.
‘‘The board is very pleased to have appointed such a wellqualified business leader after a robust recruitment process,’’ Mrs YoungCooper said.
Mr Sowry said he had spent a great deal of time in the Queenstown Lakes district and was looking forward to starting his new job.
‘‘Queenstown Airport is a critical piece of social and economic infrastructure for the Southern Lakes region, as well as New Zealand,’’ he said.