Lyttelton Port Company (LPC) has announced the appointment of Graeme Sumner as its new chief executive.
Sumner is currently an advisor and consultant to multiple companies and boards, and up until June 2022 he was the chief executive of Airways New Zealand, the state-owned enterprise responsible for the management and control of New Zealand’s airspace.
He will start at LPC on September 20 and there will be a handover period with interim chief executive Jim Quinn.
Chair Barry Bragg says Sumner is a seasoned chief executive with a track record in turning around and growing companies across a number of industries.
“Graeme brings strong operational leadership capability, having led over 4000 employees and contractors at Service Stream and nearly 3500 at Transfield. He understands critical infrastructure businesses with significant capital programmes.
“Graeme led Service Stream to become the largest installer of smart metering systems across Australia’s electricity sector and navigated the construction of two new Air Traffic Control centres in Auckland and Christchurch with Airways New Zealand.
“Graeme has also worked in a public sector environment and is committed to building on the long-term social and economic value of LPC,” says Bragg.
Meanwhile, Sumner says he’s looking forward to his new role.
“LPC is a port with a long and proud history, and I recognise the important part it plays in both the economic and social and fabric of the Canterbury region.
“I’m excited to be involved in an organisation that is so critical to the success of the South Island and wider New Zealand. I’m also pleased I’m able to get my feet on the ground at LPC so quickly,” he says.
Sumner started his career in Sweden and the UK working for IBM. He holds a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Auckland, and an MBA from Massey University.
The new remuneration for the role of chief executive at LPC is $825,000. There is no bonus or incentive structure.
