New appointments to Airways New Zealand board

Airways New Zealand has announced changes to its board of directors, with the departure of longstanding board members Robin Gunston, Susan Huria and deputy chair David Park, and the appointment of Bennett Medary and Mark Pitt. The changes are effective from 1 November.

Airways chair Susan Paterson thanked departing board members for their fine contribution during a time of considerable change and growth.

Susan Paterson says, “The board looks forward to working with Bennett and Mark and harnessing their extensive technology and aviation expertise as we continue to face technological disruption and expansion in overseas markets, while fulfilling our primary role of keeping our skies safe.”

Bennett Medary (pictured, left image) is the founder and chair of The Simpl Group, chair of web-based software developer Preno, and chair of the New Zealand Technology Industry Association. He brings 30 years of technology sector experience to the Airways board. 

Mark Pitt (pictured, right image) has 25 years’ experience as a pilot. Previous roles include chief executive positions in subsidiary companies of Air New Zealand and Virgin, and directorships on the boards of Virgin Australia New Zealand, Virgin Samoa, Mount Cook Airline and the Board of Airline Representatives New Zealand Incorporated (BARNZ).

ENDS

For further information please contact:

Emily Davies
Head of Public Affairs
Airways New Zealand
Mobile: +64 21 815 149
Email: communications@airways.co.nz

Notes to editors:

About Airways

Airways is a world-leading commercial Air Navigation Service Provider (ANSP), and operates in New Zealand as a State-Owned Enterprise (SOE). We look after key aviation infrastructure around New Zealand and manage the more than 1 million traffic movements per year into and around New Zealand’s 30

 million square kilometres of airspace.

Airways provides air traffic control and engineering training, and has delivered air traffic management, Flightyield revenue management solutions, navigation services and consultancy in more than 65 countries.

For more information about Airways please visit www.airways.co.nz

About Bennett Medary

Bennett brings to the Airways board 30 years of experience in maximising results from high performing teams in the technology sector.

Bennett is the founder of The Simpl Group, a technology services company that now plays an integral role in many aspects of the New Zealand health system.

He is chair of Preno, a web based software developer for front desk management of boutique hotels, and also chairs the New Zealand Technology Industry Association.  Bennett is on the board of The Simpl Group, is a trustee of the New Zealand Hi-Tech Trust, lead mentor at Lightning Lab Auckland and a strategic advisor to Downer New Zealand and a number of other companies.

During his career Bennett has developed strong beliefs in technology as a critical enabler for change, transformation and competitive advantage.  He is passionate about the need for fresh thinking as organisations face disruption to legacy business models, and the importance of combining strategy, execution and governance to create enduring socio-economic wealth.

Bennett is a strong supporter of New Zealand’s future as a digital nation and technology’s ability to dramatically improve productivity and sustainability.

Outside of work he is an avid aviator and mariner and has been an owner of Future Flight Ltd, a flight operations and training business at Ardmore Airport.

He has owned a Piper Twin Commanche and two Diamond DA20 training aircraft, and holds a Private Pilot’s Licence with Multi Engine Instrument rating.

About Mark Pitt

Mark Pitt joins the Airways board bringing 25 years’ experience as a pilot, initially as an international military pilot and later as a domestic airline pilot instructor. 

He was the chief executive of Air New Zealand subsidiary Mount Cook Airline, managing director and chairman of Virgin Samoa and, most recently, managing director and chief executive of Virgin Australia New Zealand.

Pitt has also served as a director of a number of boards including Virgin Australia New Zealand and the Board of Airline Representatives New Zealand Incorporated (BARNZ).  

Throughout his career Mark has operated in highly competitive international markets, managed complex operational and commercial business functions, and led strong international brands with a focus on innovation and quality products and customer service.

Mark’s shift away from pure flying and flight operations management was fuelled by a strong interest in building solid and sustainable international businesses.