Organisational framework
Our governance
We are a corporate Commonwealth entity established and governed by the Air Services Act 1995. We are wholly owned by the Australian Government, and are accountable to the Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development. Our governance is also regulated by the Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Act 2013.
We are committed to meeting high standards of corporate governance which we consider essential to our long-term performance and sustainability, and to be in the best interests of our owner. Our governance practices are regularly reviewed to ensure they align to Australian legislative and regulatory requirements and contemporary better practice. A copy of our Governance Statement is available for download below.
Our Board
Our Board, as our governing body, is responsible for deciding the objectives, strategies and policies we follow, and ensuring that we perform our functions in a proper, efficient and effective manner. Our Board members (other than our Chief Executive Officer) are appointed by our Minister. Copies of our Board and Board committee charters are available for download below.
Our Board also has oversight of Australia's Aircraft Noise Ombudsman, which conducts independent administrative reviews of the management of aircraft noise-related activities by us and the Royal Australian Air Force. You can access the current ANO Charter here.
Corporate reporting
Corporate plans
Chairman
LLB, MAICD
John Weber has been a member of Airservices Board since April 2017. Mr Weber was appointed as Chairman on 3 June 2018. His current term expires on 2 June 2025.
Mr Weber served as the Australian managing partner of DLA Piper, one of the world’s largest law firms, from 2014 to 2017. He was also a member of DLA Piper’s international executive. Prior to that he was chief executive of Minter Ellison, a leading Australian law firm, for six years and a member of its executive management team for eleven years.
Mr Weber has worked extensively in the transport sector (rail and aviation), health, financial services, and defence / security sectors for both industry and government.
Mr Weber is currently the Chair of Paypa Plane and a director of the Australian Maritime Systems Group, the Horizons Foundation, the European Australian Business Council and the Dimeo group.
Mr Weber is a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. He has extensive board experience across a diverse range of organisations in the public, private and not-for-profit sectors. This includes previously being a director of the Western Sydney Airport Corporation, the Council of the Asia Society and the ABCN Foundation.
Chair of Board Technology Committee
BMath Hons, MMath, PhD, FTSE, FAICD, FAAAI
Eileen Doyle was appointed to the Board on 21 April 2021. Dr Doyle is Chair of the Technology Committee, a member of the Audit and Risk Committee and a member of the Sustainability Committee. Eileen Doyle’s current term expires on 20 April 2025.
Dr Doyle has had extensive experience at senior executive and CEO levels across a number of industries. Eileen Doyle is also an experienced non-executive director. Dr Doyle is currently on the Board of NextDC Ltd, DBI Infrastructure, Swoop Analytics, Hunter Angels Trust, O’Connell Street Associates and Kinetic Group Services Pty Ltd.
Dr Doyle is a former Chairman of PWCS, Deputy Chairman of the CSIRO and director of Santos Ltd. She was Australia’s first Fulbright Scholar in Business and had the opportunity to study and work in New York.
She is a Foundation Fellow of The Australian Association of Angel Investors, a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering and a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
Deputy Chair
Chair Board Audit and Risk Committee
BA CA GAICD
Anne Brown was first appointed to the Board on 4 December 2019 and appointed as Deputy Chair on 13 December 2024. She is Chair of the Audit and Risk Committee and a member of the People, Culture and Remuneration Committee. She is a non-executive Board member and her current term expires on 10 December 2027.
Ms Brown has substantial knowledge and practical experience of Australian and international exchange traded financial markets and related infrastructure, risk management, governance and regulatory environments. She was previously Chief Risk Officer with ASX Limited (ASX), following its merger with SFE Corporation Limited (SFE).
Ms Brown also represented ASX as an executive committee member and then Chair of CCP12, an influential global industry association involving all major international clearing houses. Prior to the ASX–SFE merger, she was a general manager with SFE and previously worked with KPMG in both Edinburgh and Sydney.
Ms Brown is a non-executive Director of AEMO Services Ltd, and a member of the Markets Disciplinary Panel at the Australian Securities and Investments Commission. Anne Brown was previously a member of the Finance and Risk Committee of Monte Sant’ Angelo Mercy College Ltd, a Board member of the Clean Energy Regulator and former Chair of the Australian Life Code Compliance Committee.
Ms Brown holds a double major degree in accountancy and computer science from Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh. She is a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland and a graduate member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
FRAeS, Meng, GAICD
Nicolle Connelly was appointed to the Board on 1 August 2023 and her current term expires on 31 July 2026. Ms Connelly is Chair of the Safety Committee and a member of the People, Culture and Remuneration Committee and the Sustainability Committee.
Ms Connelly’s career spans over 35 years in the aviation sector. This career includes a variety of roles and responsibilities in Airservices Australia, Airlines and Academia.
Currently Nicolle Connelly is Associate Professor of Aerospace Engineering and Aviation at Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT). Ms Connelly’s specialisation is Air Traffic Management and Transport Safety.
Nicolle Connelly is also a director of the Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority.
Ms Connelly was previously employed at Airservices Australia for 27 years. During that time Nicolle Connelly held operational management and senior management roles, including service as a qualified operational air traffic controller.
Nicolle has been the recipient of numerous awards, including the Teaching Excellence award from the Australian Awards for University Teaching (AAUT) and she was the Female Educator of the Year at RMIT in 2022. She was the recipient of the Women in Aviation/Aerospace award for outstanding contribution to the aviation or aerospace sectors in 2020.
Nicolle is a Fellow of the Royal Aeronautical Society (FRAeS) and a Fellow of the International Federation of National Teaching (IFNTF). She has a Master of Engineering Airworthiness from RMIT.
Chair Board People, Culture and Remuneration Committee
GAICD
Lawrie Turner was appointed to the Board in 2021 and reappointed in 2024. He is Chair of the People, Culture and Remuneration Committee, a member of the Technology Committee and a member of the Safety Committee. Mr Turner’s current term expires in 2027.
Mr Turner has held the position of Chief Information Officer in airline, retail, telecom and rail industries. He has over 20 years ’experience in the aviation industry having worked at executive levels in Qantas Airways, Virgin Australia Airlines and internationally with Sabre Corporation of the USA. Lawrie developed the strategy and then led the integration of commercial IT systems supporting the merger of Qantas and Australian Airlines and represented Qantas in the formation of the Oneworld Alliance. As Vice President for Sabre’s Sirena-3 program in Russia, Mr Turner led the team which implemented the first multi-host airline reservations system in the country. At Virgin Australia, Lawrie held the roles of Chief Information Officer, acting Chief Operating Officer and Group Executive Business Services.
He has carried out strategic technology-related consulting assignments for organisations including the Department of Defence’s Chief Information Officer Group and Newcrest Mining. Mr Turner is a Fellow of the Royal Aeronautical Society and a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
AO, DSC
Mel Hupfeld was appointed to the Board in August 2023. Mr Hupfeld’s current term expires in July 2027. Mel Hupfeld is Chair of the Sustainability Committee and a member of the Audit and Risk Committee, the Safety Committee and the Technology Committee.
Mel Hupfeld serves on the Air Force Association Board, the Spitfire Association Advisory Council, the Swinburne Research Institute Advisory Board and is a member of the Public Service Advisory Board to provide strategic advice to government and industry clients.
Mel Hupfeld joined the Royal Australian Air Force as an Academy Cadet in January 1980 and graduated as a pilot with a Bachelor of Science degree in 1983.
During his Air Force career, he flew Mirage, Classic Hornet and Super Hornet fighter aircraft in several of the Air Force’s fighter squadrons and achieved over 3,500 flying hours. In 2001 Mel took command of No 75 Squadron (75SQN) and led the Squadron in operations in the Middle East on Operations BASTILLE and FALCONER as part of Australia’s contribution to Operation IRAQI FREEDOM in 2003. He completed several staff appointments including in the capability development and force design areas and completed the Royal Air Force Advanced Command and Staff Course, graduating with a Master of Arts in Defence Studies from King's College in London in 1998.
Mel commanded at every level within Air Force and notably, on promotion to the rank of Air Marshal, was appointed as Chief of Joint Operations in May 2018 and subsequently Chief of Air Force in July 2019. He transitioned to the Air Force Reserve in July 2022. Since then, he has assisted the Minister for Home Affairs and Cyber Security as a member of the Expert Advisory Board to develop a National Cyber Security Strategy.
Interim Chief Executive Officer
The Board appointed Rob Sharp Interim Chief Executive Officer in July 2024 which meant that he became a member of the Board.
Rob brings over 25 years of senior executive experience in the aviation and transport sectors.
Rob holds a Bachelor of Business, and has had an extensive involvement with academia, including as an adjunct professor at Curtin Business School, member of the John Grill Centre Advisory Committee at Sydney University and Governor of the Warren Centre for Advanced Engineering at Sydney University.
Rob is also a Fellow of the Royal Aeronautical Society, a Chartered Accountant, a Companion of Engineers Australia and a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
Rob served for two years as Secretary for Transport for NSW leading 30,000 employees, delivering daily transport services and operations across the state including roads, rail and ferry operations. During his tenure, the organisation was delivering a $72b pipeline of infrastructure, with a focus on world-first technology and innovation, underpinned by an organisational transformation.
Rob headed Virgin Australia Airlines for two years, leading 8,000 employees, and was responsible for all aspects of the airline business. Key achievements included an insight-driven customer focus, strengthened international alliances, and operational excellence underpinned by digital strategies.
Rob was CEO of the Low Cost Carrier Tigerair for four years, rebranding the airline, delivering a turnaround strategy and repositioning the business.
He started his transport career with Qantas Airways, working across strategy, commercial and operational roles including responsibility for airline strategy and innovation, major transformational programs, technology developments, and global airport infrastructure and operations logistics.
Rob commenced his career with Price Waterhouse, specialising in Infrastructure including construction and mining, and high technology. He was Operations Director for a successful start-up technology company, Hypertec Research, growing the business by 50% pa developing Australia’s largest technology exporter at the time.
Executive committee
Members
Our executive committee is responsible for the day-to-day management of our organisation.
Interim Chief Executive Officer
Rob Sharp was appointed Interim CEO in July 2024 and brings over 25 years of senior executive experience in the aviation and transport sectors.
Rob holds a Bachelor of Business, and has had an extensive involvement with academia, including as an adjunct professor at Curtin Business School, member of the John Grill Centre Advisory Committee at Sydney University and Governor of the Warren Centre for Advanced Engineering at Sydney University.
Rob is also a Fellow of the Royal Aeronautical Society, a Chartered Accountant, a Companion of Engineers Australia and a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
Rob served for two years as Secretary for Transport for NSW leading 30,000 employees, delivering daily transport services and operations across the state including roads, rail and ferry operations. During his tenure, the organisation was delivering a $72b pipeline of infrastructure, with a focus on world-first technology and innovation, underpinned by an organisational transformation.
Rob headed Virgin Australia Airlines for two years, leading 8,000 employees, and was responsible for all aspects of the airline business. Key achievements included an insight-driven customer focus, strengthened international alliances, and operational excellence underpinned by digital strategies.
Rob was CEO of the Low Cost Carrier Tigerair for four years, rebranding the airline, delivering a turnaround strategy and repositioning the business.
He started his transport career with Qantas Airways, working across strategy, commercial and operational roles including responsibility for airline strategy and innovation, major transformational programs, technology developments, and global airport infrastructure and operations logistics.
Rob commenced his career with Price Waterhouse, specialising in Infrastructure including construction and mining, and high technology. He was Operations Director for a successful start-up technology company, Hypertec Research, growing the business by 50% pa developing Australia’s largest technology exporter at the time.
Deputy Chief Executive Officer
Pete joined Airservices Australia in May 2019 as the Executive General Manager Air Navigation Services.
Prior to this, Pete worked at the International Air Transport Association (IATA) based in Geneva, Switzerland for 7 years. Pete was responsible for progressing airline interests associated with the European Union (EU) Single Market initiative; Single European Sky (SES). His role addressed institutional, regulatory and operational performance with a focus on the safety, environment, capacity and cost efficiency of air navigation services across 42 European States.
Pete has over 25 years of experience in the aviation industry starting as an air traffic controller in Sydney and Brisbane. He has held a range of leadership roles across corporate and regulatory affairs, strategy and planning, operational service delivery, major capital programs, change management and finance.
Pete has a Master of Business Administration from University of Queensland and completed the Graduate General Manager Program at the Australian Graduate School of Management.
Acting Chief Airspace and Network Officer
With a career spanning over three decades, Craig Charker began his journey as an air traffic controller with the Australian Civil Aviation Authority in Sydney. Since then, he has contributed his knowledge and expertise in airspace management across numerous agencies.
With an academic background, including a Diploma of Applied Science in Air Traffic Services, a Bachelor of Commerce with honours, and a Master of Business Administration, and the completion of the INSEAD Advanced Management Program, Craig represents a blend of technical proficiency and strategic leadership.
Craig remains at the forefront of shaping the future of air traffic management, ensuring safety, efficiency, and innovation in Australia's aviation landscape, and is currently serving as Airservices' acting Chief Airspace and Network Officer, leading the teams that support and deliver approach and enroute air traffic control, flight path design, aeronautical information management, the National Operations Management Centre and Service Standards for Air Traffic Control and Aviation Rescue Fire Fighting Services.
Acting Chief Aerodromes Officer
With over 18 years of experience in aviation spanning government, private sector, and consultancy roles, Michelle brings a diverse range of skills and expertise to the Airservices' Executive team.
Since joining Airservices in 2012, Michelle has played a crucial role in advancing safety-critical operations, regulatory compliance, and business transformation across the organisation.
She has held leadership positions in various functional areas, including safety, engineering compliance, and Service Standards. Michelle brings a strong focus to ensuring our service adheres to regulatory requirements, industry standards, and drives improvements within aviation.
Before being appointed Acting Head of Aerodromes, Michelle served as Head of Service Standards, and before that Head of PFAS Strategy & Delivery.
She holds a Bachelor of Applied Science and Honours from the Queensland University of Technology (QUT).
Chief Financial and Performance Officer
BComm FCPA
Paul Logan was appointed as Airservices Chief Financial Officer in May 2016, to provide strategic financial and commercial management of Airservices operations.
Prior to this, Paul was General Manager Accounting Services and responsible for the organisation’s pricing strategies and investment analysis. In this role, Paul directed Airservices corporate accounting and governance of group financial management. He was responsible for the taxation, treasury and insurance obligations for the organisation and the oversight of the corporate shared services functions.
With more than 26 years of experience in the air traffic management and civil aviation safety industry Paul has led a number of key change programs to establish an external customer centric focus through the establishment of service performance reporting frameworks and engagement programs. Paul was instrumental in the development and implementation of long term pricing arrangements aimed at yielding efficiency gains and providing price certainty for the aviation industry. Paul has also achieved continuous improvement in the efficiency and effectiveness of internal business processes.
Paul is a Fellow of Certified Practicing Accountants (CPA) Australia.
Chief Customer and External Relations Officer
Prior to being appointed as Acting Chief Customer and External Relations Officer, Paul was Head of Government Relations and International Engagement at Airservices.
He has over 20 years’ experience developing, implementing, and advising on public policy, stakeholder and media strategies, with a background in telecommunications competition policy, critical infrastructure and aviation. Paul has a strong working knowledge of Cabinet, budget, and intergovernmental processes having led and advised on many successful initiatives working for a cabinet minister, the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, and the Attorney-General's Department.
Before joining Airservices, Paul worked at EY in a client-facing role. He advised C-suite executives and their organisations how to achieve greater efficiencies, enhancing the approach to risk and compliance, and increase their competitiveness. He has a Masters in Public Policy and a Graduate Diploma in Public Sector Leadership.
Chief People and Culture Officer
Heading up People and Culture for Airservices is human resources (HR) executive Danielle Mesa. Danielle was appointed to the role of Chief People and Culture Officer in October 2023. A people and performance-focused senior executive with 20-plus years of innovative leadership in the public and private sectors, Danielle brings to our organisation a wealth of international and domestic experience in people and culture leadership, business change, risk and governance, and cultural transformation.
Having worked across industries including defence, construction and infrastructure, energy and transport and logistics, Danielle has a proven record of successfully navigating organisational complexity in highly regulated sectors. Our new Culture and Diversity leader has an Advanced MBA (digital strategy) and a Master of Management in operations and logistics.
Chief Technology Enablement Officer
Mark has had a wide and varied career in the ICT industry over the last 25 years with experience in both the private and public sectors. His career has extended across a number of market sectors including Transport, Education and Manufacturing and has covered significant roles in technology strategy and transformation, infrastructure and operations, enterprise architecture, strategic sourcing, organisational change management, program management, and applications development.
Mark joined Airservices in 2016 as the Service Design and Delivery Manager, with accountabilities for the delivery of sustainable 24Ă—7Â operations of both mission critical and corporate ICT environments including infrastructure operations, telecommunication and network services, business systems, airways regulated systems, air traffic management regulated systems, technology testing and the delivery of ICT projects.
Prior to joining Airservices Mark spent 10 years with The Queensland government in a number of key roles including critical systems development and project management, ICT operations, Chief Technology Officer (CTO) and Chief Information Officer (CIO).
Chief Operating Officer
Vivienne King was appointed as Airservices Australia's Chief Operating Officer in August 2023. Having worked across the transport, education and infrastructure sectors in Australia and internationally, Vivienne King brings a wealth of senior management and operational leadership experience to Airservices.
Prior to her role as Chief Operating Officer with Airservices, Vivienne served as the CEO of a consortium, where she worked closely with Pacific Partners on major infrastructure Public-Private Partnership projects. She also has held the position of CEO for Box Hill Institute in Victoria and KDR Gold Coast, managing the operation and maintenance of the Gold Coast Light Rail.
Vivienne's international experience includes her tenure as President of the British Columbia Rapid Transit Company in North America. She also fulfilled the role of Group General Manager, Strategic & Service Development for RailCorp in Sydney, where she played a pivotal role in shaping the investment strategy, future design of rail networks and a substantial capital works program.
Throughout her career Vivienne has demonstrated a strong commitment to public policy, education, and transportation. She’s also served as a board member for several well-regarded organisations.
Chief Transformation Officer
Christian joined Airservices Australia in June 2022 as the Chief Transformation Officer. Christian is an entrepreneurial senior executive with consistent success in establishing, building, growing and improving the performance of businesses, both as a senior advisor and as a business leader. His expertise spans corporate innovation, re-invention and growth, business strategy and execution, major transformation as well as corporate service and operational management along with extensive people leadership. His key strengths include creating the strategic vision, strategic partner to board members and executive, delivering business value through a strong results focus, and care for people, their development and culture.
Christian’s roles have included Senior and Executive positions across industries and businesses with roles covering operational responsibilities, strategic and transformation programs, expansion via joint venture as well as large pre & post M&A and integration. Christian’s most recent executive roles have been leading organization wide transformation and integration agendas for organizations with revenues of $1.6bn and assets of $20bn.
His roles have been in major Australian and global organisations including Westpac, SUNCORP, Queensland Health, UnitingCare Qld, BRIGHTsuper and EY, where he led major complex transformation and merger integration projects focusing on delivering results within tight timeframes.
Christian holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Economics and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Queensland.
Director of Safety, Security and Environment Assurance
Mark Scanlan was appointed as the Director Safety, Security, and Environment Assurance at Airservices Australia in January 2023. With over 25 years of experience spanning corporate, government, and not-for-profit sectors, Mark brings committed leadership, diverse expertise, and a pragmatic approach to creating value.
In his current role, Mark is responsible for ensuring the strategic direction and assurance of safety, security, and environmental performance across Airservices Australia.
Mark's diverse experience has been gained through his contributions in his roles at Sunwater, Origin Energy, QGC Shell, and Qantas. Mark has had a strong operational career, serving as a paramedic in metropolitan and remote areas, both on the road, marine and aeromedical capacities.
Beyond his professional endeavours, Mark started his career as a soldier and remains dedicated to supporting veterans' charities such as Veteran Trails and Diggers Rest. Mark has also undertaken various engagements with the Australian and International Federation of Red Cross (IFRC) including the 2001 Tsunami in Banda Aceh, the 2011 Christchurch earthquake, and various emergencies in the Pacific region and domestically.
Mark holds a Master of Business Administration from the University of Queensland and is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
Acting General Counsel and Board Secretary
Marcus joined Airservices in 2018 and has over 30 years experience working in a variety of legal and procurement teams across shipping, transport, telecommunications and IT.
Downloads
Corporate governance documents
Click here to access the Register of Received Gifts and Benefits.
Work with us
Airservices is at the forefront of Australian aviation. We are uniquely connected to all parts of the industry and offer exciting and innovative work across a range of operational and corporate roles.
Career paths on offer at Airservices include
Air Traffic Control, Aviation Rescue Fire Fighting, information technology, corporate support and more.