Queenstown Lakes District Council (QLDC) has appointed Wānaka-based Jacqueline Cheyne to the board of directors for Queenstown Airport Corporation (QAC).

It has also reappointed existing director Simon Flood for a second term.

Mayor Glyn Lewers confirmed that councillors agreed unanimously to adopt the QLDC governance subcommittee’s recommendations at a meeting on October 19.

Jacqueline, who Glyn said was an experienced business and governance professional, was the subcommittee’s preferred candidate for the vacant directorship, and members also recommended Simon was reappointed for a further standard term of four years.

“With all details now finalised I’d like to formally congratulate Jackie and Simon on their appointment and reappointment respectively,” Glyn said.

“As well as Jackie’s business acumen and current directorships, I’ve been particularly impressed by her expertise in understanding and managing climate risk. 

“This aligns with our own climate action commitments and the district’s destination management plan that aims to achieve regenerative tourism and a carbon zero visitor economy by 2030.”

QAC chair Adrienne Young-Cooper said she welcomed Jacqueline to the board. 

“Her extensive governance experience and expertise in sustainability, climate risk and adaptation will be valuable as we progress the important planning and infrastructure projects we have ahead of us.”

Jaqueline said she was “delighted” to be joining the board of QAC. 

“This is a critically important asset for the district and I look forward to working with my fellow board members in continually strengthening the airport’s role in facilitating resilience and sustainable visitor management, as well as providing a welcoming experience for our customers,” she said.

Jacqueline fills the vacancy created by the resignation from the QAC board of Anne Urlwin in February. 

All shortlisted candidates were interviewed by the subcommittee and then resolved to recommend Jacqueline for the position at its meeting on September 7.

PHOTO: Supplied