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In an email to all staff, Harris said he was resigning with immediate effect. He said he regretted but felt he was leaving the Authority in “good hands”, that the Authority had gone from “strength to strength” and spoke of some of his recent accomplishments, such as his implementation of an organizational change program.
In a statement sent exclusively to Newshub, the CAA’s current and former staff group says “it doesn’t leave the organization in good shape”, but “leaves years of ignorance and destruction of its people.”
They say it is clear that the organization is not working well after a culture review was ordered, along with a quality control review by the Aviation Security Service. “Why resign immediately during a global crisis that has undoubtedly affected aviation severely?” They ask.
Newshub has contacted the CAA about these comments, but has not yet responded.
When asked if Harris had suddenly resigned over the CAA culture review findings, CAA President Janice Fredric said Harris had signaled to the board late last year that he intended to withdraw this year.
The Board has appointed Shelley Turner, currently Executive Vice President of Development and Organizational Support, as Acting Director.
In an email to all Turner staff, she said she wanted support to rebuild the organization. “Please refrain from talking to the industry about your personal views until we have a joint organizational vision.” She urged staff to “contribute constructively.”
Aviation commentator Irene King told Newshub directors that they generally resign because of “loss of personal or professional confidence.”
King says Harris has come under “intense scrutiny” about his leadership style. You are concerned that the CAA is struggling at a time when key experience is critical to its role as a regulator.
The organization is now “devoid at its highest levels of anyone with technical expertise and business experience,” but notes that the industry’s commitment to safe performance is unwavering.
Harris’s decision to resign follows the rapid departure of former CAA President Nigel Gould, who was effectively fired by Transportation Minister Phil Twyford. Gould’s resignation is due to comments he made about the alleged plaintiffs that Twyford said were “misjudged.”
The following is the letter Graeme Harris sent to staff regarding her resignation:
Good afternoon everyone,
Some of you that I have spoken to in the last 5-6 months will be aware of my intention to withdraw from the CAA sometime between the middle and the end of this year. I have been preferring exactly when to take a break for some time. However, it seems that there is nothing like “blocking” in a global pandemic to focus your thinking.
Having reached the eight year milestone as CE and considering the context in which we are operating at the moment, I think now is the time to set a departure date. In doing this, I am aware of several things:
- the fact that we are about to embark on the final phase of the organizational change that I initiated for the AAC last year;
- the ongoing work to design the appropriate capacity, capacity, and cost structure for the Authority (the CAPCO review) post-COVID-19; and
- the next publication of the report of the Ministerial Review of the Authority.
While my initial thought had been to stay until after the final stage of the AAC organizational change was implemented, I have concluded that it would be better for you if someone who stays with the Authority guides you through the next critical months rather than leaving you. very soon after. In this regard, I note that I have recently appointed the Deputy Executive Director for Organizational Development and Support, Shelley Turner, to lead the final phase of the CAA design review, to chair the Steering Group for the CAPCO review and to be part of the Authority Leadership Team subcommittee to lead the implementation of any recommendations made by the Ministerial Review. From my perspective, and the Board agrees, it makes sense for him to lead the organization for the next few months until a successor is appointed. She will bring her considerable talent, energy and enthusiasm to the role and will not be burdened by past events.
Therefore, today I submitted my resignation to the Board. While I have a notification period to serve that will take me to the middle of last year, I think the right thing is to provide a clear leadership transition given the above context. As a consequence, Shelley will immediately take over as acting CE / Director of Civil Aviation. During my notification period, I will provide you with advice and assistance, particularly on any regulatory / technical matter that I deem necessary.
While I do feel an element of regret leaving after eight years, I have to say that I am absolutely sure that I am leaving you in good hands. In recent years, I have seen the Aviation Security Service grow stronger under the leadership of Mark Wheeler and his management team. Similarly, I have seen a very significant improvement in the CAA’s safety regulatory performance. The recent appointment of a new management team at the CAA has revealed real talent and bodes well for the future. Both parts of the organization have done exceptional work in response to COVID-19 and you can be justifiably proud of their great work.
Thank you for your commitment to the public interest in civil aviation regulation and the provision of aviation security services. You often don’t get enough recognition for your efforts, but I certainly know how valuable they have been.
Good luck in the future.
