RealNZ CEO resigns
RealNZ Chair Martin Dippie confirmed the board has today accepted the resignation of CEO Stephen England-Hall.
England-Hall took the helm of RealNZ, (Wayfare at the time), in the midst of the Covid-19 crisis in February 2021. He was tasked with creating a path forward for the group of businesses to help them navigate the ravages of the pandemic and establish a new foundation for a sustainable recovery.
Under England-Hall’s leadership over the last two years the company has restructured, rebranded, refinanced and recapitalised, regrown revenues and is now on a path to recovery, entering the second half of this financial year materially ahead of plan, Dippie says.
With the next phase of the company’s journey starting, England-Hall wishes to return to Auckland where his family live.
"As results turn positive and guests return it’s a good time to pass the reins to a new leader to continue the journey for this incredible company," Stephen England-Hall says.
Dipppe says England-Hall has done an outstanding job transforming the company and placing the business on a solid foundation to benefit from tourism’s recovery.
"The RealNZ and Cardrona brands are in great shape to continue to outperform the market,” says Dippie.
England-Hall oversaw the capital raise that introduced private investors to the closely held family company for the first time. He also restructured the group and launched the RealNZ brand to make the group of experiences easier to identify, market and purchase – particularly in digital channels.
“I’d like to thank the Queenstown, Wānaka, Te Anau and Southland communities for their support of RealNZ during my time with the business and for making me a welcome member of the community," England-Hall says.
"I'd also like to acknowledge the faith investors and the Hutchins family placed in me and my leadership team to enable the company’s revival. I wish them all the very best for the path ahead."
