TEXT-Auckland Int'l Airport says Simon Moutter to be CEO

(The following statement was released by the company)

WELLINGTON, May 14 - Auckland Airport today announced that Simon Moutter has been appointed its next Chief Executive. He will join the company within the next three months.

Simon's most recent position was Chief Operating Officer (Business) at Telecom New Zealand, where he led the company's business customer operations in New Zealand and in Australia. The five businesses within the group employ over 2,900 staff and have $2.2 billion in annual revenue.

He joined Telecom in 1999, from the position of Chief Executive at Powerco, where he was responsible for creating New Zealand's fourth largest electricity and gas distribution business at the time.

Simon will succeed Don Huse, who announced his retirement from this role at the Airport's annual meeting in October 2007. Mr Huse has held the position for the past five years.

Chairman of Auckland Airport Tony Frankham said he and the Auckland Airport board is delighted to have appointed Simon Moutter. "We conducted an international recruitment search and are very pleased to be appointing Simon, with his unique experience leading key infrastructure businesses in this country, as our new Chief Executive.

Filling the role after the impressive performance delivered by Don Huse during his tenure was never going to be easy, however we feel confident Simon's skills are well suited to build on our achievements to date.

In his leadership roles Simon has a notable track record in building highly cohesive and effective senior management teams.

This approach has delivered superior business results throughout the organisations he has led and increased market share in competitive environments.