OREANDA-NEWS. Auckland Airport has today announced the appointment of two new members of its Leadership Team to help realise its full potential as a business and support travel, trade and tourism growth.

Chief executive Adrian Littlewood says he is delighted to announce that he has appointed:

• Richard Barker as the general manager of retail and commercial; and
 • Graham Matthews as the general manager of airport development and delivery.

“I am very pleased that an extensive recruitment process has found two such experienced and talented individuals to join our Leadership Team. These two roles are essential to maintaining the airport’s focus on improving the customer and passenger experience, and ensuring that Auckland Airport continues to drive long-term growth.”

“The general manager of retail and commercial is responsible for all of our retailing businesses, including duty free, specialty retail, and food and beverage. The role is also responsible for passenger experience and car-parking,” says Mr Littlewood.

“Richard Barker joins Auckland Airport having spent more than 20 years in retail, sales, pricing and operational roles for BP and Z Energy.  Richard started his BP retail career in New Zealand and Australia, ending his time there as the New Zealand general manager of marketing.  He then transferred into BP’s global team in London and Chicago working on its retail businesses around the world.  He has been the Trading Director of BP’s Accelerator Business focusing on new retail concepts, the Director of its Global Convenience Store unit and ended his time at BP in charge of brand, advertising and store design of 25,000 sites across the world.  Richard returned to New Zealand three years ago and has played a leading role in the original conception, development and operation of the new Z Energy retail proposition including day-to-day responsibility for the retail operations across all 210 sites. Richard will start at Auckland Airport in mid-October and replaces Adrian Littlewood who was appointed chief executive in November 2012.”

“The general manager of airport development and delivery is a new role and is responsible for centralised project delivery and development capital planning. Over the coming years Auckland Airport will be entering into a new phase of capacity development that will require careful management. This development phase will be a complex task and will affect all parts of our terminal and adjacent infrastructure and will require dedicated focus to ensure planning, concept development and project delivery is effected to a very high standard,” says Mr Littlewood.

“Graham Matthews comes to Auckland Airport with a wealth of experience in commercial property and airport and transport infrastructure development and delivery. Graham started his career as a chartered surveyor in the United Kingdom before undertaking a wide range of finance, development, project and programme director roles – including working on the Heathrow Terminal 5 project and as Development Director for delivery of the Heathrow Express project. He was a director and equity partner at consultants Accenture and EC Harris before relocating to New Zealand in 2008.  Graham was New Zealand Trade and Enterprise’s Investment Director, focused on driving foreign investment into New Zealand, when he was seconded to CERA as Senior Investment Advisor and initiated the masterplan for the city’s reconstruction. Graham is currently Managing Director of property consultancy, Hampton Jones. He is a fellow of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors and sits on its World Governing Council. Graham will start at Auckland Airport on 14 October.”

“I am privileged to lead a very dynamic Leadership Team which is fully committed to delivering results for our customers, our city and our country. I know that both Richard and Graham are excited about joining Auckland Airport and playing their part,” concludes Mr Littlewood.