CEO Farewell
I want to thank the many of you who have reached out to me with messages of well wishes and support following the announcement by Angus Houston last week of my decision not to take up the offer of another term as CEO of Airservices.
This was not an easy decision for me, but the timing feels right to allow the organisation to appoint someone who can lead through the next phase of our transformation agenda, including the transition to our new air traffic management system under the OneSKY Australia program.
When I joined Airservices I knew that I was joining an organisation that is widely recognised for providing world class aviation services and for having a highly specialised and professional workforce.
The organisation’s priority on safety has always felt like a very good fit for me given my own personal interest and commitment in this area after my husband was killed in an aircraft accident while I was expecting our twins. Our children were born 20 years ago this year, the same year that Airservices was forming as an organisation in its own right after separating from the regulator.
Airservices has a strong history and I’m proud of the work we’ve done together over the past three years that has helped set the organisation up for an equally strong future. We’ve achieved a lot.
One of my key priorities was to ensure that we’re well placed to deal with the increasing pressures of aviation capacity and to ensure that our OneSKY program was on track. We’ve made significant progress in both those areas including new towers and fire stations being commissioned and the announcement earlier this year that we would commence work with Thales on our future air traffic management system. We’ve also made considerable progress on a journey to drive our business and cultural transformation and enable Airservices to deliver safe and efficient services for our customers into the future.
It’s not an easy sector—the debate in aviation is passionate and tough. When people’s lives are at stake, that is how it should be.
I will always be particularly proud of the outcomes of the Operation SkySafe taskforce that I established to take a fresh look at our safety systems and processes which has delivered key improvements to operational safety.
I’m most proud of all of you. Globally you’re considered among the best and we continue to get better and to lead the world.
While my three-year term was due to be completed in the next few months, I’m taking the opportunity to finish a little early to focus on some short term health issues.
I leave the organisation in the very capable hands of Acting CEO Jason Harfield and I know that you will give him your full support to ensure that through this transition period, the organisation does not lose any momentum on our important programs.
Finally, I want to thank each and every one of you for your commitment to an organisation that helps 90 million people to travel safely in our skies each year.
It has been a privilege to work with you and I wish you all the best.
Margaret Staib