Board of Directors

Managing an outstanding company

Auckland Airport’s board of directors and executive team focus on ensuring the company is managed at the highest strategic level. They work to realise the company’s long-term corporate objectives, as it continuously strives to become the world’s most outstanding and welcoming airport.

As New Zealand’s busiest airport, we are one of our country’s largest infrastructure assets and one of the biggest employers in the Greater Auckland region.

Julia Hoare

Chair, BCom, FCA, CFInstD

Julia Hoare was appointed a director of the company in 2017.

Prior to her governance career, Julia had extensive chartered accounting experience in Australia, the United Kingdom and New Zealand and was a partner with PwC New Zealand for 20 years until 2012. Her expertise spans finance, commercial, tax, regulatory, sustainability and climate change.

Through both her professional experience and board roles, Julia is knowledgeable across a diverse range of sectors including transport and logistics, infrastructure, energy, and international FMCG.

Julia is the Chair of Port of Tauranga Limited and a Director of Meridian Energy Limited. Julia is also a member of the Chapter Zero New Zealand Steering Committee.

Mark Binns

Director, LLB

Mark Binns was appointed a director of the company in 2018.

His successful career has seen him closely involved in many of New Zealand’s largest infrastructure projects, including the Wiri Prison public-private partnership, Waterview Connection, Eden Park, SKYCITY, Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa and the Manapōuri tunnel. For 22 years, Mark worked at Fletcher Building and its predecessor, Fletcher Challenge Limited. During that period he was responsible for operations in Australia, South East Asia, India, South America, the United States and the South Pacific, as well as in New Zealand.

Mark also brings to this governance role the experience of being a Chief Executive. He was Chief Executive of Meridian Energy Limited from 2012 to 2017, during which he prepared the company for New Zealand’s largest IPO and delivered strong shareholder returns. He is also a former Chief Executive of the Infrastructure Division of Fletcher Building Limited, the company’s then, largest division.

Mark is currently Chair of National Infrastructure Funding and Financing Limited and Hynds Limited, and a director of Hynds Holdings Limited, and Mercury NZ Limited.

By training, Mark is a qualified lawyer. He is a former partner of Simpson Grierson in Auckland.

Mark Cairns

Director, BE (Hons), BBS, MMGT, FEngNZ, CFInstD

Mark Cairns was appointed a director of the company in 2022.

Mark retired in 2021 as Chief Executive of Port of Tauranga following 16 years in the role. He has a first class honours degree in Civil Engineering from University of Auckland, a degree in Business Studies and a Master of Management from Massey University. He is a Fellow of Engineering New Zealand and a Chartered Fellow of the Institute of Directors.

Mark has worked in large infrastructure (build/operate), logistic operations and complex supply chains for most of his career and brings extensive Chief Executive experience in business operations at scale, including significant exposure to capital markets.

Mark is currently the Chair of Freightways Limited and McAulay Farms Limited, and a Director of Briscoes (New Zealand) Limited.

Grant Devonport

Director, BBus, GDipBA

Grant Devonport is an experienced Chief Financial Officer and transformational leader with over 25 years of multinational experience.

He was the Chief Financial Officer of Australia Pacific Airports Corporation (“APAC”) which owns Melbourne Airport and Launceston Airports, from 2019, retiring at the end of January 2024.

Prior to APAC, Grant was Chief Financial Officer of Myer Holdings Limited from 2015 to 2018 and Chief Financial Officer of Toll Holdings Limited, a global transport and logistics business based in Melbourne, from the end of 2011 to its sale in 2015 to Japan Post.

Grant was appointed as a director in October 2024 and is also a director of Freightways Limited and North Queensland Airports.

Sean Donohue

Director, BSc

Sean Donohue was appointed a director of the company in 2026.

Sean was the Chief Executive of Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport until 2025, and is currently a non-executive director of Atmos Energy Corporation and Willow Incorporated.

Sean has decades of experience from his 10+ years as Chief Executive of Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport, and senior roles at Virgin Australia and United Airlines, as well as international aviation and tourism bodies.

His depth of experience in global aviation strategy and operations is highly aligned with the direction and aspirations of Auckland Airport. Under Sean’s leadership, Dallas Fort Worth (“DFW”) delivered US$7 billion in infrastructure improvements, strengthening resilience and improving operational performance. Sean also championed DFW’s digital transformation, greatly improving the customer experience, and oversaw projects enabling the airport to be carbon net zero by 2030.

In 2025 Sean completed his service as both Co-Chair of the World Economic Forum’s Aviation and Aerospace Governors Committee, and as an executive committee member of the World Travel and Tourism Council.

Dean Hamilton

Director, BCA

Dean Hamilton was appointed a director of the company in 2018.

Dean has significant CEO and financial markets experience. Most recently he was CEO of Silver Fern Farms Limited where he successfully led the business through a period of significant change and improvement in financial performance, health & safety, staff and supplier engagement, sustainability and consumer trust in the brand.

Dean’s career includes 12 years at global investment bank Deutsche Bank, working in both Australia and New Zealand, where he advised a wide range of companies on M&A, capital management, corporate restructuring and capital raising.

Prior to Deutsche Bank, Dean held CEO roles in manufacturing and general management in retail.

Dean brings experience at running a large organisation with a wide range of stakeholders as well as a deep understanding in finance and capital markets.

Dean is currently the Chair of Fulton Hogan Limited and Ryman Healthcare Limited and a director of The Warehouse Group Limited and Tappenden Holdings Limited.

Liz Savage

Director, BEng, MSc

Elizabeth (Liz) was appointed a director of the company in 2019.

Liz has extensive experience in the airline, travel & tourism sectors and brings a deep understanding of the airline business to the Board.

Her 20-year career in senior leadership roles in Australia and Europe, includes being Chief Commercial Officer of Virgin Australia during the successful early stage transformation of the airline and Business Development Director of easyJet during the airline’s first ten years of rapid growth.

Liz is currently a Director of Intrepid Travel Group, North Queensland Airports, Australian Sailing Limited and The Royal Automobile Club of Queensland Limited. Through her roles, Liz brings particular focus on customer strategy, marketing and sustainable growth.

Liz qualified as an Aeronautical Engineer, with a master’s degree in Air Transport Management.

Tania Simpson

Director, BA, MMM, CFinstD

Tania is currently a Director of Meridian Energy Limited, Waste Management NZ Limited, and Ukaipo Limited.

Tania is also Chair of the Waitangi National Trust.

Tania’s background includes 14 years as a director of Mighty River Power from its beginnings as a State Owned Enterprise through to its successful listing in 2013.

Tania is known for her work within Maori communities. Her experience includes time spent as a Maori Advisory Officer for the Housing Corporation of NZ before moving into central government as a Senior Policy Analyst and Policy Manager. She has also helped negotiate agreements for Maori communities and has worked on a number of Treaty claims and settlements.