Avalon Airport CEO resigns

AVALON Airport will have to find its third chief executive officer in the space of two years, with Tony Brun to take off for a role in the Middle East.

Linfox Airport executive chair David Fox announced Mr Brun’s coming departure “to a significant new chief executive role in Saudi Arabia” on the Avalon website yesterday (Wednesday, May 15).

Mr Brun also confirmed he was leaving “after a fun and exciting stint at Avalon” in a post on his LinkedInPage last night.

“It has been an amazing honour to be part of the Avalon story. There is no doubting this is one of Australia’s great aviation and infrastructure stories with an unparalleled potential and part of the incredible Linfox world,” Mr Brun wrote.

He said he appreciated the support of Avalon chairs David Fox and Dennis Richardson.

“I also acknowledge the absolute honour and privilege of working under Lindsay Fox, one of Australia’s leading and great businessmen. A genuine family man and icon of this nation. His vision and commitment to his values of trust, integrity and loyalty have provided incredible learning and inspiration for me.

“I also recognise the Avalon team – what an amazing lean, mean fighting machine they are. Passionate, committed and driven with an unwavering focus on delivering exceptional outcomes. I wish them all the very best and know they’ll keep kicking goals and delivering wins that no-one else expected or believed possible.”

Mr Brun, who took over from Justin Giddings as Avalon CEO in October 2022, said his last day would be June 28, and he would “fight for our precinct and team up until that date and beyond”.

Mr Fox said Mr Brun was leaving with his personal best wishes and the best wishes of the Fox family.

“In his time at Avalon, Tony has overseen a repositioning and progression of the business including reinforcing the role of Melbourne Avalon Airport being Victoria and Melbourne’s secondary 24/7 international airport.

“Further, his work around the redevelopment of the organisational strategy and the new Master Plan, to be released soon, will position Avalon as Australia’s premier intermodal economic and employment hub realising our founder Lindsay Fox’s vision.”

Mr Fox said Mr Brun’s achievements included overseeing the finalisation and delivery of the Cotton On distribution centre extension, the development of the new Australia Post and Petstock distribution centre, and building the capacity of the Avalon team.

“Tony has also materially progressed some major and exciting initiatives which we now expect to continue and progress to final commercials and announcements. His positive change and impacts will reflect his legacy on this critical national important asset.”

Mr Fox said more details about organisational details at Avalon would be announced in the coming weeks.