CHRIS SCANLON is the first CEO to be appointed to Atihau Whanganui Incorporation, and he comes with an international pedigree of experience.
Mr Scanlon said he was looking forward to bringing his extensive commercial experience and abilities to the Incorporation business which he believed has an exciting future.
Chairman of the incorporation's
committee of management, Mr Whatarangi Murphy-Peehi announced the appointment on Friday and said Atihau Whanganui Incorporation, based in Wanganui, is one of the most important and significant landholders in farming and agribusiness in New Zealand. Mr Murphy-Peehi said the appointment had come at the completion of an extensive search for suitable candidates.
"This is a historic appointment and a major milestone for the Incorporation which is developing a substantial agribusiness that will be one of the most important in New Zealand."
Mr Scanlon was an experienced senior executive who had worked nationally and internationally for a major global company and was also a shareholder in Atihau Whanganui.
Mr Scanlon, who holds a Bachelor of Commerce and Administration from Victoria University, began his career as an accountant with Shell in Wellington before moving to Shell International in London.
He subsequently managed exploration and production interests in New Zealand and transferred to The Hague managing a number of exploration and production interests in natural gas in companies in Africa and South America. He became general manager and company director for Shell's Exploration and Production interests in New Zealand in 1990 before development of his own business consultancy practice.
He has held a number of director roles in the petroleum and gas industry and was recently appointed to Te Whiringa Muka Trust to receive and manage the fisheries quota for the Wanganui iwi.
