Infrastructure New Zealand is appointing former BNZ general manager Paul Blair as chief executive.
Blair takes over from current CEO Stephen Selwood who’s moving on after 14 years with the organisation.
The changeover will follow the Building Nations Symposium to be held in Rotorua on August 21 to 23.
Chair Andrew Stevens says Blair brings many skills to the role with “obvious passion for infrastructure and depth of business experience across New Zealand, Australia and UK”.
This will “ensure the organisation continues to grow and develop in response to New Zealand’s infrastructure needs,” he says.
“Outgoing CEO Stephen Selwood took an idea for a new business advocacy group and over 14 years turned it into one of New Zealand’s most respected thought leadership organisations.
“He helped kick off the process for governance reform in Auckland and RMA reform nationally and fought long and hard for the soon to be established New Zealand Infrastructure Commission, among a long list of other achievements,” Stevens says.
Selwood says he will continue working within the infrastructure sector.
“Infrastructure is the physical platform for national well-being and development. It has been a tremendous privilege to lead Infrastructure New Zealand as the peak industry body for such a critical sector.
“I’m looking forward to a continuing contribution in industry governance roles, both public and private. I know that Paul is as passionate about the sector as I am and will now take the organisation to a new level,” Selwood says.
Blair says Selwood has made an “enormous contribution to New Zealand infrastructure”.
“I’m excited to be moving into an organisation and a role with such momentum and opportunity to improve New Zealand’s prosperity, living standards and environment,” Blair says.
