Gary Chapman
Pro-Chancellor, distinguished friends, colleagues, graduands and guests.
More than ever before success in the post-credit crunch economy means a relentless pursuit of excellence in quality and customer service, supported by a commitment to innovation and adaptability. Gary Chapman has been at the heart of the team driving a globally successful company to achieve just this for over twenty years.
Gary was born in South Auckland, New Zealand, in 1952, in the wonderfully named Papatoetoe, next to the Tamaki Creek where he fished for eels as a boy. The creek was also between two golf courses, and Gary’s first foray into the world of business involved finding and selling lost golf balls, a skill he became so good at that it enabled him to buy his first car, a 1936 Austin 7, for the princely sum of NZ$90.
After studying at Aorere College in Mangere, he started work at the age of sixteen for a newspaper company. Encouraged by his book-keeping tutor and rugby coach, Mr Landers, to study accountancy, he decided to attend night school at Auckland Technical Institute after work. As a result of five years work experience and his evening studies he qualified as an accountant in 1973.
He left New Zealand in 1975 to travel in Europe and experience life and work in London. Two years later he found work with a prominent Middle Eastern trading concern, run by an Arab family. The job initially involved three years in Oman running a transport operation from a port-a-cabin in the desert but eventually led to global travel and experience working in construction, real estate, investments and the provision of support services to the oil industry. His assignment postings included Oman, Bahrain, Kuwait, Paris and Houston. It was during this period that he met his wife, Penny.
In 1989, Gary joined the Emirates Group and took over responsibility for the company’s finances; since that time his role has evolved in step with the rapid growth and diversification of the company over the last twenty years. He has been a key member of the management team of the Emirates Group for two decades. Responsible for the Group's finance, he has overseen the posting of profits in every year of his service. In his current position, he is responsible for the corporate support functions of the Emirates Group - finance, IT, human resources, medical services, legal - as well as jet fuel price risk management. These have been major challenges in a period of rapid change and development for the aviation industry.
In addition, Gary manages the global operations of Dnata – the group’s arm responsible for ground handling and travel services – and a number of other associated divisions within the Emirates Group. The Dnata business, which includes all the airline-support systems, employs 18,000 people, and has revenues of £1.5 billion to £2.5 billion.
His diverse portfolio includes world-wide operations in several sectors and the Group’s overall success speaks eloquently of Gary’s high level of management expertise and experience. Emirates has been a remarkable success story; from its start as a regional carrier with only two aircraft to its current position as a global air travel company with more than 170 aircraft and an enviable reputation for quality, comfort and reliability. Alongside his part in this success Gary has also worked to further international relations between the United Arab Emirates and his home country of New Zealand. He has liaised with promoted New Zealand as a destination to both the expatriate and Arab communities in the Gulf region. He was also instrumental to Emirates’ sponsorship of Team New Zealand, enabling them to continue competing in the America’s Cup and Louis Vuitton Pacific Series. He organised Rugby World Cup Sevens in Dubai in March 2009 and oversaw the construction of a six-pitch rugby and community sports facility in the middle of the desert. In addition, he organises and works with various charity events, such as the Kiwi Ball, the proceeds of which are distributed to a number of charities.
In July 2012, in recognition of this work, Gary was made a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to New Zealand-United Arab Emirates relations.
During his time in London he became a supporter of Ipswich football team, then a successful outfit managed by Bobby Robson, so he is clearly a patient man! No doubt the trials of supporting Ipswich are compensated for by the outstanding successes of the New Zealand All Black rugby team. He also enjoys golf and has still not lost the habit of looking for lost golf balls.
In recognition of his contribution to global aviation operations and education, Coventry University, by decision of the Academic Board, has the privilege of conferring the Degree of Doctor of Business Administration, honoris causa, on Gary Chapman.