More changes at Air New Zealand: CFO Jeff McDowall goes, Leanne Geraghty’s key role

The Air New Zealand executive shakeup continues, with veteran Jeff McDowall joining four other senior officials leaving the airline and the announcement of the internal appointment of a director of customers and sales.

McDowall will leave the airline in mid-2021 after the completion of the planned capital increase. Airline and tourism veteran Leanne Geraghty has been appointed to the new role.

Chief Financial Officer McDowall has been with the airline for more than 20 years and last year he was Acting Chief Executive Officer for several months.

CEO Greg Foran said McDowall was playing a critical role in supporting him and the board as the airline rebuilt itself after the ravages of Covid-19.

“But after a career of more than two decades with the airline, he feels it will be time to open a new chapter in his career once the capital increase is complete,” Foran said.

The airline will begin a global search for a successor shortly.

So far this year the departure or pending departure of four veteran executives has been announced. They are Director of Marketing and Customer Mike Tod, Director of Aircraft Operations and People Safety John Whittaker, Director of Network Strategy and Alliances, Nick Judd, and Director of Business and Customers Cam Wallace.

Foran paid tribute to McDowall.

“Without Jeff’s leadership over the past two decades, especially as part of the executive team in recent years, the airline would not have achieved its long commercial success or grown its international presence around the world so successfully.”

Geraghty describes himself as one of the airline’s most experienced world leaders and will report directly to Foran.

“Leanne is an outstanding leader with tremendous industry knowledge who has worked in the aviation and tourism industries on both sides of the Tasman for over 30 years and led teams around the world.”

He said his detailed knowledge of the New Zealand, Australian and Pacific Island markets in particular prepared the airline for the post-Covid-19 international tourism recovery when the time came.

“Leanne is held in the highest regard by key stakeholders, from business and government partners to our most valued customers and her fellow Air New Zealand.”

Geraghty is currently the group’s general manager of airports and has responsibility for more than 1800 employees and operations at 50 airports internationally.

Originally from Australia, she has a BA in Economics and Finance from the University of New South Wales and has studied International Business Management at IMD in Switzerland and Marketing at the Australian Institute of Marketing.

He also graduated from the Australian Institute of Directors’ Directors Course.