New Zealand's main international gateway Auckland International Airport said on Wednesday it had appointed Telecom executive Simon Moutter to be its next chief executive.
Auckland Airport, the subject of a failed stake bid by a Canadian pension fund, said Moutter would take up the job within the next three months.
Chairman Tony Frankham said Moutter's experience in infrastructure businesses, and familiarity with negotiating government regulation, would be an asset to the airport.
"His achievements make him the ideal person to lead the next stage in Auckland Airport's master plan as we progressively expand our facilities to handle up to 25 million passengers a year by 2025," Frankham said in a statement.
Moutter is the third senior executive to leave Telecom following the resignation of former chief executive Theresa Gattung, who left in June last year.
Shares in Auckland Airport, a top 10 company which handles 70 percent of New Zealand's international traffic, closed on Tuesday at NZD$2.25, having traded between NZD$1.99 and NZD$3.50 over the past year.
Auckland Airport's Frankham said on April 30 the company was considering a capital restructure to increase shareholder returns, after the government killed a partial takeover.
The Canadian Pension Plan Investment Board had shareholder backing for a NZD$1.8 billion (USD$1.4 billion) bid for 40 percent of the company, but the government declined regulatory clearance, because the airport is seen as a strategic asset.
Frankham said as a result of the government's stance the airport was unlikely to attract overseas bidders. Moutter was chief operating officer (business) at Telecom, and served as acting CEO for three months prior to current boss Paul Reynolds beginning with the company in October 2007.
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