Air New Zealand has appointed chief financial officer (CFO) Jeff McDowall as acting chief executive officer (CEO) from 26 September, when current CEO Christopher Luxon leaves the position for pastures new.
Luxon resigned in June after seven years at the helm and the carrier said McDowall will take on the role, while the final phase of recruitment takes place.
McDowall will be acting CEO until the successful candidate, is selected through a global search process. He is not seeking permanent appointment to the role.
Chairman Tony Carter says the board is “highly satisfied” with how the global search for a new CEO is progressing.
Carter will retire as Air New Zealand chairman at the Annual Shareholders’ Meeting on 25 September and be replaced by current director Dame Therese Walsh, who is leading the search process on behalf of the board.
She said that given the calibre of the candidates being considered in the selection process it is possible that the new CEO of Air New Zealand will not start until the first quarter of 2020.
General manager corporate finance Stephan Deschamps will take over as acting CFO on 26 September.
