Wrightson chairman to steer Air NZ

By Phil Boeyen, ShareChat Business News Editor

Friday 30th November 2001

Wrightson (NZSE: WRI) chairman John Palmer is to sit at the head of the table at Air New Zealand (NZSE: AIRVA).

Mr Palmer has been named chairman of the embattled airline, allowing current acting chairman, Jim Farmer, to step away from the spotlight.

Dr Farmer has been in the firing line for Air New Zealand ever since Sir Selwyn Cushing stood down from the boardroom job in late May.

Aside from Wrightson John Palmer is chairman of two other companies and a director of AMP Bank. Past experience includes chairmanship of Trustbank Canterbury, where he also worked on the Trust Bank float and the company's eventual sale to Westpac in 1996.

Dr Farmer has welcomed the appointment of the new chairman and says Mr Palmer's track record demonstrates strong leadership skills and will bring considerable experience in changing management structures to the company.

"These skills will be valuable in the rapidly changing environment of the aviation industry," Dr Farmer says.

Mr Palmer's appointment fills the casual vacancy for a B Director on the Air New Zealand Board which has existed since the board composition changed early in October.

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