Air New Zealand’s board of directors has appointed the CEO of Walmart US, Greg Foran as its next chief executive officer of the airline, commencing in the first quarter of 2020.
In his current role with Walmart, Foran is responsible for the strategic direction and performance of the company’s 4,600 stores and more than one million staff.
Last year Walmart US served more than 160 million customers a week and had revenues of $307 billion. It is part of the world’s largest company by revenues, Walmart, which had global revenues of more than $500 billion last year.
Foran joined Walmart International in 2011 where he served in a number of capacities, including as president and CEO of Walmart China and then president and CEO of Walmart Asia up until he assumed his current role.
Air New Zealand chairman Dame Therese Walsh says Foran, who grew up in Hastings and Hamilton, will be an outstanding leader of the airline.
“We are thrilled to have attracted a world class Kiwi back home. Greg has an impeccable track record in delivering strong commercial performance, outstanding customer focus and in building teams that can take a business to the next level,” Dame Therese said.
Commenting on his new role, Foran said he is privileged to have been given the opportunity to grow an iconic and critical New Zealand company and brand on the global stage.
He said: “I am an incredibly proud Kiwi and to be given the job of nurturing and building on the legacy of an iconic company that represents the best of our nation at home and around the world really excites me.
"Air New Zealand is deservedly recognised as one of the world’s great airlines and I look forward to working alongside its people to take it to the next level.