The Auckland Transport (AT) Board has now officially appointed Dean Kimpton as its Chief Executive, a move that solidifies his role following an impressive tenure under an 18-month contract that began in April 2023. The decision comes after a rigorous recruitment process, both domestically and internationally, aimed at finding the best leader to enhance AT's service delivery to Aucklanders.

Since his arrival, Kimpton has been instrumental in steering the organisation towards greater efficiency and effectiveness, emphasising network productivity and exceptional public transport services for the city. His leadership has already begun to reshape AT's structure to better align with the organisation’s goals.

Richard Leggat, Chair of the AT Board, expressed confidence in Kimpton's ability to foster improved outcomes for Auckland. "Under Dean’s leadership, the organisation’s structure has been redesigned to focus on doing the right things and doing them exceptionally well," he stated. "While we still have work to do to increase Aucklanders' trust and confidence in AT, the board is very confident Dean is the right person to do this." 

During the fiscal year ending June 30, 2024, AT met or exceeded an impressive 18 out of 19 targets outlined in its Statement of Intent. The organisation also launched its largest-ever capital program, which included the introduction of bus boosters, substantial repairs to roads and potholes, and the addition of hundreds of public transport trips.

These achievements have been viewed as a direct result of Kimpton’s direction. "These are a testament to Dean's leadership. While AT has achieved a lot in the past 18 months, the Board has set him more ambitious targets and very clear expectations about what he needs to deliver for Auckland during his tenure," Leggat added.

Looking ahead, Auckland Transport’s objectives align closely with those expected by the Mayor, focusing on practical changes aimed at reducing congestion and journey times while strengthening community trust in the organisation.

"We look forward to Auckland Transport delivering to Auckland Council’s priorities under Dean’s leadership," Leggat remarked. "Dean’s appointment provides certainty for our people and for our shareholder, Auckland Council."

As part of his new role, Mr. Kimpton will earn an annual salary of $620,000, with the potential for a discretionary bonus based on the attainment of key performance indicators that reflect AT’s overarching business plan.

With an experienced leader at the helm, Auckland Transport is poised for a promising future as it aims to enhance the lives of Aucklanders through top-tier transport solutions.