Leggat new AT lead

A professional director and cycling advocate is the new chair of the Auckland Transport Board, starting on February 1.

Richard Leggat is currently chair of Westhaven Marina and has previously been on the board of two other Auckland Council organisations, Waterfront Auckland and Eke Panuku.

Over the past decade, he has held a range of public and private sector directorships, with organisations including Tourism New Zealand, Education New Zealand, NZ Post, Snow Sports NZ, Rakiura Maori Lands Trust and Save the Kiwi.

He has also been a director of Bike NZ, chair of the NZ Cycling Trail and on the board of Cycling NZ.

Mayor Wayne Brown led the selection panel and said members appreciated Leggat’s strategic and straightforward approach.

“He will bring a fresh perspective to lead Auckland Transport,” Brown said. “He is well placed to drive the initiatives and innovations needed to improve transport outcomes in Auckland. It is no simple task, and I look forward to working with him to fix Auckland.”

Leggat takes over from acting chair Mark Darrow, who is the new deputy chair.