Former Adelaide Airport MD also hold directorship of Flinders Ports
The South Australian Freight Council (SAFC) has tapped senior airports and ports player Phil Baker as its independent chairman.
Baker is already overseeing new strategic plan, setting out SAFC’s change priorities, including improved member value, financial viability and operational impact, the council says.
It notes that Baker was Adelaide Airport MD when that enterprise was undertaking major runway and terminal upgrades.
He is also Adelaide Convention Bureau chairman and holds directorships with urban development body Renewal SA, Port Hedland International Airport Group of Companies and Flinders Ports Holdings, the last of which operates the Port of Adelaide and six regional ports.
“I am looking forward to working with the freight and logistics community in South Australia to ensure our industry can compete with the best – both in Australia and around the world,” Baker says.
“Every productivity improvement we make in the transport industry results in more competitive South Australian exports, and better prices on local supermarket shelves.”
This is the first time the SAFC has appointed an independent chair, with the council describing it as an indication of the SAFC executive committee’s “commitment to internal change and reinvigoration”.
In accepting the role, Baker says he intends to drive change “from within”, in particular to reform internal operations and to see SAFC become more responsive to its member and stakeholders needs.