Road Transport Forum chairman Neil Reid is pleased to announce that Nick Leggett has been appointed as RTF CEO to succeed Ken Shirley, who retires at the end of 2018.

Leggett has had a very distinguished career in local government serving two terms as Mayor of Porirua City from 2010. Leggett was first elected to council in 1998 at the age of 19, and in 2010 was the youngest mayor in New Zealand.

For the past year Leggett has been executive director of the New Zealand Alcohol Beverages Council.

“I look forward to working closely with Nick, who will have responsibility for leading the national body of the New Zealand trucking industry in a time of significant change for the sector,” says Reid. “There are both significant challenges and exciting opportunities facing the road transport industry in the coming years across the political, regulatory and business environments.”

Leggett says that he is looking forward to the challenge of leading a group that he has long admired for their strong and effective advocacy.

“The Road Transport Forum and its constituent associations have a proud history representing a sector that is at the heart of so much economic activity,” says Leggett. “I am excited to carry on that good work and assist road transport operators to get the most out of their businesses and meet the challenges coming their way.”

Shirley says he has thoroughly enjoyed the past eight years working for the industry that literally drives the New Zealand economy.

“I wish Nick and the industry every success in the future.”