Professional director Barry Harris is to replace John Spencer as chair of the Waikato Regional Airport Ltd (WRAL) board.
Spencer has chaired the WRAL Board since December 2013 and will step down in May this year in accordance with WRAL’s director rotation policy. During his tenure, Mr Spencer has overseen a period of significant growth, including a 20 per cent increase in domestic passenger numbers and a 14 percent increase in seat capacity over the past four years.
Under his watch, WRAL has turned around the trading performance of its core aeronautical business from a loss in 2013 to profitability in 2018.
Harris, who joined the WRAL board in March 2019, has significant national and regional governance experience and strong ties to the Waikato.
Among other appointments, he is chair of Ospri New Zealand Ltd, TBFree New Zealand Ltd, New Zealand Food Innovation (Waikato) Ltd and Wintec.
His appointment as chair has been unanimously endorsed by WRAL’s five shareholding councils.
