Tod will join Tab NZ after a spell as the executive general manager of corporate affairs for Commonwealth Bank, while at the same time he served as a strategic advisor in the health care, sports and agriculture sectors.
Prior to this, Tod spent more than 18 years with Air New Zealand, serving in a number of roles such as chief marketing and customer officer, advisor to the board and chief executive, and general manager for marketing and communications.
His other roles have included director for the Queenstown Airport Corporation, strategic advisor to Live Ocean Racing, advisory board member for Mastercard and co-founder of Pacifica Investments.
“Tab NZ is an iconic organisation that is inextricably linked to New Zealand’s way of life,” Tod said. “Now that the racing industry reforms are well advanced, this allows TAB NZ, as a commercial wagering operator, to focus on its objectives of maximising profits for the long-term benefit of racing in New Zealand, to maximise returns to New Zealand sporting organisations, and to support our communities.”
Tab NZ board chair Mark Stewart added: “The board and I are thrilled to welcome someone of Mike’s international experience to lead TAB NZ. He is a deeply customer-centric leader with extensive experience in key areas of focus for our organisation, including product and service innovation, marketing, brand and consumer engagement.
“His appointment and those areas of focus will allow us to drive further revenue growth for our racing and sporting stakeholders.
“Mike’s global experience with Air New Zealand – in particular as chief marketing and customer officer where he led the resurgence of the brand and delivery of proactive and service innovations internationally – places TAB NZ in a strong position to meet its financial potential and to deliver upon the expectations of its stakeholders.”