First woman to chair port

Liz Coutts has been appointed as chairman of Ports of Auckland Ltd (POAL). She takes over from Rodger Fisher, who has been acting chair since Graeme Hawkins resigned. Coutts, who is the first woman to take up the role, says: “I am delighted to be chosen and feel privileged to lead POAL through its next phase of development. The company has made huge progress since I was appointed to the board in 2010. “Under chief executive Tony Gibson, barriers to employing female stevedores have been broken down, and company culture has changed leading to a more diverse and productive organisation. Staff can take pride in the fact they have made their company the largest and most efficient container port in New Zealand.” Outside the port gates, POAL is focused on expanding its network of intermodal freight hubs to deliver more efficient access to foreign markets for importers and exporters. “The next few years will be a time of significant change for the port,” adds Coutts. “Consultation on the proposal to partially automate the container terminal will be completed in early 2016 and the Port Future Study, which will determine the long-term future, is due out in mid-2016. “The company is actively involved in this study, and is working hard to build a more open and transparent relationship with the Auckland community. I look forward to leading it through this exciting and challenging time.”

BACKGROUND ON NEW CHAIR

Liz Coutts has extensive experience in governance and executive roles in major Kiwi companies, including time as chief executive of Caxton Group, a vertically integrated pulp and tissue paper business. She was first appointed a director of POAL in December 2010. She is chair of Oceania Healthcare, Urwin & Co and the IRD Risk and Assurance Committee, and a director of EBOS Group, Skellerup Holdings, Yellow Pages, Sanford and Tennis Auckland Region. Coutts is also vice-president and a chartered fellow of the Institute of Directors in NZ. She has previously been chair of Meritec Group, Industrial Research and Life Pharmacy, deputy chair of Public Trust, and a commissioner of the Commerce Commission and Earthquake Commission. She has been a director of Ravensdown Fertiliser Co-operative, the Health Funding Authority, Pharmac, Air NZ, Sport and Recreation NZ and Trust Bank NZ, and a member of the financial reporting standards board of the Institute of Chartered Accountants and Reserve Bank of NZ’s monetary policy committee.