Ports of Auckland’s board has elected Jan Dawson as its new Chair, following the retirement of previous chair Bill Osborne. Jan was appointed to the board on 31 August 2021.

Jan is a highly experienced director and chair, whose previous roles include being Chair of Westpac New Zealand Limited and Deputy Chair of Air New Zealand Limited.

Jan Dawson said “I am delighted to be taking on this role and I look forward to working with the board and management of the Ports of Auckland, which is so important to Auckland and New Zealand’s supply chain.”

“My priorities are to complete the work already underway to implement the recommendations of the CHASNZ review into health and safety, to deliver its automation project, to lift productivity, improve customer service and to deliver a reasonable return to our shareholder, Auckland Council.”

The recruitment of the new CEO and new board members is underway and I intend to have both processes completed before the end of the year.”

I would like to thank outgoing chair Bill Osborne for his service to the company. Bill stepped in to lead the board during a particularly challenging time for the business, and I wish him well for the future.”

About Jan Dawson CNZM, BCom, FCA (ICANZ), FInstD

Jan is an independent director who has held senior positions at several New Zealand companies.

Until recently she was Chair of Westpac New Zealand Limited and Deputy Chair of Air New Zealand Limited. She is currently a director of Meridian Energy Limited and AIG Insurance New Zealand Limited.

Jan is on the Council for the University of Auckland and the Capital Investment Committee of the Ministry of Health. Jan chairs the Audit Committee and Risk Committee and Remuneration Committee for a number of these entities.

She was the Chair and Chief Executive for KPMG New Zealand for five years until 2011, following a career spanning 30 years specialising in audit and accounting services in the United Kingdom, Canada and New Zealand.

Her previous board appointments include Beca Limited and Goodman Fielder Ltd.

She was elected as a Vice President of World Sailing President for the four years ending in November 2020 and was the President and Board Chair of Yachting New Zealand for six years to October 2013.