Leading southern tourism operator, Real Journeys, has announced the appointment of Sue Sheldon and Vicky Taylor as directors to its board.
Sheldon has been awarded Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit for her services to business. Based in Christchurch, she is a chartered accountant and a former president of the New Zealand Institute of Accountants. Sheldon is currently chair of Freightways and a director of Contact Energy. Through her role as chair of NZ Global Women, she is heavily involved in influencing corporate New Zealand to embrace the benefits that diversity and inclusion bring to senior leadership.
Taylor and her husband established Smartfoods Limited, one of the leading premium breakfast food companies in New Zealand. Taylor has considerable business experience and skills in the commercial, science, environment and sustainability sectors and in not-for-profit governance. She is chair of Enviro-Mark Solutions and a director of Landcare Research. Taylor has worked for manufacturing businesses operating in international markets, including Lion Nathan, New Zealand Dairy Foods, Goodman Fielder, Griffins Foods and Coca-Cola Oceania. She is Auckland based.
“We are particularly delighted to have two such high calibre directors join our board. I am confident they will add significant value to the company,” said Real Journeys chairman Roger Wilson.
Real Journeys recently added the International Antarctic Centre in Christchurch to its portfolio, with plans under way to further develop the attraction. In 2013 it acquired the Cardrona Alpine Resort, which has now started operating activities including mountain carting, stargazing, biking and walking trails in summer as well as full ski resort operations in winter. Real Journeys was awarded 2015 Operator of the Year by the Tourism Export Council and is the only company in New Zealand to receive the accolade five times.
