New role for Nelson Bay aviation and rugby aficionado Matthew Findlay

NELSON Bay Junior Rugby Club secretary Matthew Findlay is on the move.

After a decade of sterling service, the tireless official is relocating to Honiara to take up an appointment as the new Chief Executive Officer of Solomon Airlines.

Mr Findlay, a long time resident of Nelson Bay, will commence in the role from next Monday.

Prior to taking up his duties, he will attend to all final regulatory requirements of the Civil Aviation Authority of Solomon Islands (CAASI).

The appointment comes after a rigorous shortlisting and selection process including consultation with the Ministry of Finance and Treasury.

Mr Findlay has an extensive career in the aviation industry in Oceania, Europe and North America.

Solomon Airlines Chairman Frank Wickham, said his extensive experience and exposure to the challenges of Pacific aviation will enable Solomon Airlines to solidify their operational aspirations and realise enhanced growth opportunities.

Interim CEO Paul Abbot, said Mr Findlay’s appointment was ideal to support the national carrier realise its potential and continue its strategy to connect Solomon Islands to countries throughout the Pacific region and beyond.

Commenting on his appointment, a chuffed Mr Findlay told News Of The Area that: “It’s an exciting time… as the company navigates current challenges in some markets and explores vast potential in others, to support the nation in diversifying its economy.”

“Solomon Islands and the broader Pacific region offer much untapped potential for tourism, trade and air connectivity between nations and larger global markets,” he said.

As he steps into the new role, Mr Findlay leaves behind a successful aviation consulting business, highly regarded by national, state and territory tourism, and airport and airline stakeholders.

Having served clients across Australia, New Zealand, and the Pacific, he brings with him a proven track record of fostering strong professional relationships throughout the Pacific region.

Outside of the aviation industry, he will step down from his role as club secretary of the Nelson Bay Junior Gropers but remains a keen rugby follower and hopes to make a contribution to the sport in the Solomons.

Mr Findlay’s wife Shelley and three teenage children will often join him after his relocation to Honiara.

The hard working Gropers’ official has come a long way from his initial volunteering role of turning sausages on game day.

“I leaned into volunteering in an effort to keep my kids engaged in the sport, as volunteers are hard to recruit and yet most clubs and organisations rely exclusively on them,”he said.

“Our sponsors have been with us for years, and we applaud them as often and regularly as we can, as they do make volunteering all the more easier – especially as the cost of living costs bite.

“And it’s volunteering that has aided my appointment to this role; it’s surprising the number of people who have played rugby around the world and showing you can commit to a community, demonstrates a personal quality that organisations elsewhere look for and value.

“Nelson Bay will always be home and of course as my three kids are all in their final school years in senior school, I’ll be back often to spend time with them and my wife Shelley, who will keep the home fires burning.”

By Chris KARAS