NEWCASTLE Airport CEO Peter Cock is stepping down from the role after almost 10 years, and planning a move back to Western Australia.
The search is on for his replacement, just as two new board members have been appointed
Port Stephens Mayor Leah Anderson is joining the team along with aviation expert Katie Cooper.
Ms Anderson is replacing former mayor Ryan Palmer as a nominee director. Mr Palmer was mayor for seven years, and a member of the airport board for five.
Mr Palmer is no longer a councillor. Former Newcastle Mayor Nuatali Nelmes, who lost leadership of the council at the local government election in September is still a councillor and a member of the board.
A spokesperson for the airport said it was so far unclear whether Ms Nelmes would remain in the role.
Ms Cooper, who is joining as a non-executive director, and Ms Anderson will join Newcastle council's general manager Jeremy Bath, deputy chair Samantha Martin-Williams, Morgan Parker, Neil Hart AM, Lee de Winton, Tim Crosdale, and Mark Young, who is the most recent other addition, joining the board in February.
Dr Cock, who has told the board he plans to move back to Western Australia with his family in January, said it had been a privilege to lead Newcastle Airport.
"The growth and transformation of the Airport and Astra Aerolab over this time has been significant and the relationships established will help the Airport to continue to grow and prosper, helping to connect the people of the Hunter to the world," he said.
"I am enormously proud of what has been achieved in this time, and there is still work to be done. I leave knowing Newcastle Airport is in a strong position and I look forward to seeing the Airport continue to grow in the future."
In a press release issued on Monday (October 28), board chair Jude Munro AO thanked Dr Cock, who finishes up in January, for his contribution.
During his tenure, Dr Cock had helped increase the value of the airport from $60 million to $430 million, and led the business through the uncertainty and "very difficult years" of the pandemic, Ms Munro said.
"We will be recruiting at an exciting time, as the Airport transitions to its new stage of growth," she said.
"The next chapter will see a new CEO overseeing greater domestic passenger growth and expansion into international routes.
"We are looking for a visionary leader who will work with the board to deliver significant property development, a contemporary workplace, and technological uplift."
