Executive Leadership Team
James Young Chief Executive
James joined Airways in July 2014 as the Chief Financial Officer, responsible for Airways’ financial management, procurement and property activities. In February 2023, he was appointed Chief Executive.
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Prior to joining Airways, James held leadership positions in the investment management industry while living and working in Tokyo, San Francisco and Hong Kong. Over this time, James gained experience in corporate planning, financial management, startup companies, strategic outsourcing and stakeholder management.
James' vision for Airways is to generate value for shareholders and customers by delivering quality services at a competitive price. He enjoys his involvement in driving varied and interesting projects across the Airways group, working with many talented Airways people.
James holds degrees in Accounting and Economics from Victoria University and is a qualified chartered accountant.
Sharon Cooke Chief Executive Officer, Airways International
Sharon Cooke is CEO of Airways International Ltd and a fellow of Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand. She is an experienced aviation executive with a strong background in international business, digital technologies and training.
Sharon has overall responsibility for Airways' global business activities, including aeronautical information management, procedure design, simulation, digital products and services, and air traffic services training.
Prior to joining Airways, Sharon was employed in the tertiary education sector with executive and senior academic roles at the University of Canterbury and Christchurch College of Education.
Ben Girard General Manager Air Traffic Services
Ben joined Airways in November 2023 as the General Manager of Air Traffic Services (ATS) responsible for delivering safe, reliable, and cost-effective ATS within the New Zealand Domestic and Oceanic Flight Information Regions (FIRs) with a focus on building strong customer relationships and driving team culture engagement and performance within ATS.
Ben joined Airways from Canada where he started his career in Air Traffic Control in 1989 for the National ANSP holding Tower, Terminal and Enroute ratings.
From 2004 to 2023, he held various positions within operations’ management, including Director of ATS Standards and Procedures, General Manager of the Montreal FIR, Assistant Vice President AIM and Flight Operations, Vice President Operational Support and more recently, Vice President & Chief of Operations at Nav Canada.
On a personal level, Ben enjoys travelling, golfing, fishing, skiing, scuba diving, and trekking.
Jamie Gray General Manager People and Partnerships
Jamie joined Airways in January 2021. As General Manager People and Partnerships, Jamie is responsible for strategy, strategic customer and stakeholder relationships, communications, public affairs and sustainability.
Read moreJamie brings to Airways a wealth of experience in the public sector with his previous role as the Chief of Staff for the New Zealand National Party and prior to this he held senior roles in National and Labour-led Governments advising senior Ministers on significant Transport, Economic Development, Energy and Resources and Infrastructure policy issues.
Jamie has a well-regarded leadership and management style. He is a strong communicator and has excellent relationship management skills honed through years of working with senior decision makers and stakeholders.
Kim Nichols General Manager Safety and Assurance
Kim specialises in safety, governance, change and safety culture. Since joining Airways in 2010, Kim has integrated Airways' governance functions for safety (health and safety and operational safety), audit and risk management, security management and analysis and advisory. Kim has lead the creation of the integrated Airways Safety Management System, encompassing the CANSO standard of excellence, CAA Rule Part 100 and the Health and Safety Act 2015.
Becoming a Just Culture Champion in 2015, Kim’s focus is on embedding a safety culture that enables positive reporting, accountability and learning. Kim is also the Crisis Manager for Airways.
Kim is part of the Global Safety Network for CANSO, a participant in the NZ Business Leaders forum and a member of a number of risk and audit forums.
Prior to joining Airways, Kim held senior roles in companies such as British Gas Trading and Deloitte (UK). Kim has a commerce degree from Lincoln University and is a qualified auditor.
Geoff Peck Chief Information Officer
Geoff has worked at Airways as the Manager Enterprise Architecture, Security and networks for six years.
Previously Geoff was the chief technical architect at Tait Communications, CEO of Biotech company Syft Technologies, and CEO of router/switch developer Allied Telesyn labs.
Geoff has degrees in Electrical Engineering, Computer Science and Operations Research.
Tim Poonan Chief Financial Officer
Tim joined Airways in October 2023 and is responsible for Airways’ financial management activities. Tim manages key relationships with Airways' Audit and Finance Committee and the New Zealand Treasury.
Tim is a highly capable finance executive with more than twenty years’ experience in senior finance and commercial roles, most recently as Chief Operating Officer and previously Chief Financial Officer at Fisher & Paykel Appliances.
Tim has demonstrated ability to successfully lead change and business growth in a global environment, having had extensive experience establishing and growing relationships with key stakeholders across distribution networks, business partners and with internal stakeholders.
He brings a breadth of finance function leadership plus strategic commercial experience to the role at Airways.