Mr Christopher joins Air New Zealand from Unilever where he has been president and CEO of Unilever Canada since December 2008. In this role he was responsible for leading Unilever's $1.4 billion business & 1,500 employees in Canada.

Mr Christopher led Unilever Canada on a major change programme that has resulted in record growth, increased value for shareholders and enhanced customer service.

In addition to his Canadian responsibilities, Mr Christopher is a key member of the North American leadership team that directs Unilever's $10 billion regional business and he also sits on Unilever's Americas regional operations leadership team. Since January 2011 he has also been leading Unilever's $4 billion personal care business in the US.

Mr Christopher has joined Unilever in 1993. He has vast international experience having worked in New Zealand, Australia, Asia, UK, US, and Canada in a range of local, regional and global assignments dealing with both developing and developed markets. Brands he has taken a senior leadership role in growing globally include Dove, Rexona and Lynx; and he has been recognized with several awards for his brand work. Christopher has also lead one of Unilever's Asian Innovation Centres.

In addition, Air New Zealand has received government approval for its code share agreement with Etihad Airways, the national airline of the UAE. The new code share services will be available for sale from April 14 2011, for travel from April 18, 2011.

Under the agreement, Etihad Airways will code share on Air New Zealand trans-Tasman and domestic services. Air New Zealand will code share on Etihad's services between Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne and Abu Dhabi and between Abu Dhabi and London Heathrow.

The code share will also integrate the airlines’ loyalty programmes Air New Zealand’s Airpoints and Etihad Guest, enabling customers to earn and spend on each other's flights.

Will Mr Christopher's experience benefit the firm?

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