NZ Ministry of Defence appoints Chief of Air Force to senior acquisition role

The Ministry of Defence has appointed Mike Yardley, the current Chief of Air Force, as Deputy Secretary Acquisition, heading up a new five-person Acquisition Leadership Team.

Announcing the appointment, Secretary of Defence Helene Quilter said that Air Vice-Marshal (AVM) Yardley and the new team will provide the Ministry with a strong combination of professional and technical expertise.

“They will drive the change programme we have begun in the Ministry, in partnership with the New Zealand Defence Force, to build our capacity to deliver an acquisition programme of around $11 billion over the coming decade, including replacements for the NZDF’s air transport and air surveillance fleets and the Anzac frigates,” she said.

AVM Yardley brings more than fifteen years’ experience in the development, acquisition and introduction into service of military capability. As Chief of Air Force and a senior military leader he has led organisational change and business improvement processes within the New Zealand Defence Force to improve programme and project management, governance arrangements, risk management and business case development.

“Each member of the team is a highly experienced senior professional. Their collective backgrounds include significant defence and military experience as well as expertise in programme and project management, systems engineering and change management. All have held senior leadership positions in the public or private sector,” Ms Quilter said.

“I am confident the new team will make a significant contribution to the leadership and delivery of major capability projects, and I am looking forward to working with them when they take up their roles at the beginning of March.”

The Chief of Defence Force, Lieutenant General (LTGEN) Tim Keating, congratulated AVM Yardley on his appointment.

“I also would like to thank AVM Yardley for his contribution as Chief of Air Force, and indeed for his entire service career. I look forward to working with him in his new job,” he said.

LTGEN Keating said that a process to appoint a new Chief of Air Force will begin shortly.

The new Ministry of Defence Acquisition Leadership Team comprises:
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•  Deputy Secretary Acquisition: Mike Yardley
•  Assistant Secretary Acquisition: Huntley Wright
•  Programme Director Maritime: Jon Finderup
•  Programme Director Land: Richard Burn
•  Programme Director Air: Neil Hygate

Source: NZ Defence Public Affairs