Sydney Airport has announced CEO Geoff Culbert will no longer lead the hub after 2023, with a global search kicked off to find a new chief.
Culbert joined Sydney Airport as CEO in January 2018, taking the role after a stint at GE, and during his tenure, has presided over the restructuring and operation the airport through the global pandemic, as well as managing the airport through the private takeover by a consortium led by Global Infrastructure Partners and IFM Investors.
Sydney Airport Chair David Gonski paid tribute to Culbert’s achievements, stating he was “enormously appreciative” of his leadership during one of the most significant and disruptive periods in aviation history.
“This includes managing the airport through the pandemic when traffic was devastated by border closures, the recent rapid recovery, and dealing with the largest take-private transaction in Australian corporate history,” Gonski said.
“As a leader, Geoff also built an outstanding team and culture that will endure long after he departs, we are pleased that Geoff will be staying on until the end of the year to give us the opportunity to conduct a global search and facilitate a smooth transition to a new CEO,” he added.
Reflecting no his own departure, Culbert said it has been a privilege to have led Australia’s premier domestic and international airport since 2018, and to work with such a wonderful team through a unique and challenging period in the airport’s history.
“By the end of the year the airport will be close to fully recovered, and that will be the right time to hand over to a new CEO who will lead the airport through the next phase,” he said.
“Sydney Airport has been part of the social and economic fabric of Sydney and NSW for more than 100 years and I’m confident it will continue to play a crucial role for the next hundred.”
