Former airline industry executive Liz Savage has been appointed to the board of Auckland Airport, making it the only company in the New Zealand stock exchange to have a majority of female directors.
Savage is the fifth woman to join the board, which consists of eight directors with a diverse range of backgrounds, skills and perspectives. She has worked for 20 years in senior leadership roles in Australia and Europe, including as chief commercial officer of Virgin Australia during the early transformation of the airline, and as business development director of easyJet during the airline’s first 10 years of growth.
“Auckland Airport is at a fascinating time in its history, with more people traveling than ever before,” Savage said. “It’s a privilege to join an organization that plays such an important role in New Zealand’s community and economy.”
Female representation in management roles at Auckland Airport has increased in 2019.
In the latest Diversity Report from Champions for Change, a group of businesses seeking to raise the value of diversity and inclusiveness in the New Zealand business community, women in management roles at Auckland Airport increased from 30.8% to 34.3%(senior management), key management personnel (12.5% to 22.2%) and other manager roles (27.6% to 36.2%).
“We strongly believe in the benefits of diversity and inclusiveness, and while we still have a way to go, we are pleased that we are on the right track and are making progress,” said Adrian Littlewood, Auckland Airport’s chief executive.
Auckland Airport is a founding member of Champions for Change.