CORPORATE
OVERVIEW
JOHN CHISHOLM // FOUNDER & CHAIRMAN
John Chisholm established Texel Air Australasia in 2023 after seeing a gap in the airfreight charter market for a customer focused airline in Australasia.
An experienced entrepreneur and Company Director, John has a 40-year record of success in the express logistics and aviation contracting industries. He has extensive international networking experience and a proven track record of implementing and overseeing innovative business performance and strategic growth initiatives designed to deliver significant business returns.
John is known for his proven leadership skills and passion to deliver industry benchmark service levels. John applies his solutions and customer-first approach across the board, working with clients from international organisations, heads of state and at the highest levels of government through to supporting startups.
In 1977, John joined DHL International UK and quickly moved up the ranks, transferring over to the Middle East in 1979 before finally leaving DHL as Local Affairs Director for the Middle East in 2006. That same year, John branched out on his own and set up Chisholm Enterprises. Along with his wife Nynke, he started operating charters out of Bahrain, which lead to the formation of Texel Air in 2013.
In 2011, John relocated from the Middle East back to New Zealand, transferring day to day control of the Bahrain operations to the management team. John and Nynke have since transformed 400 acres of ex-forestry land to viable farmland, as well as developing various aviation projects within Australasia.
John is currently Chairman of Chisholm Enterprises Group and subsidiary airlines Texel Air and Texel Air Australasia.
STEVE WILKS // DIRECTOR
Steve Wilks is a New Zealand qualified accountant and international aviation professional with over 45 years’ aviation and management experience.
Steve held senior management positions with Air New Zealand subsidiaries Air Nelson and Safe Air before joining Air Niugini 1999 where he was recognised by the PNG Government for services to aviation. In 2004 he was recruited to head DHL Aviation Bahrain by John Chisholm.
Steve renewed his association with John in 2010 after a contract with Mandala Airlines Indonesia joining Chisholm Enterprises as CEO. The role included CEO/Accountable manager of their JV partner operating VIP aircraft and B737-300F.
In 2013 his responsibilities changed to Texel Air before relocating to New Zealand in 2016 to work on business opportunities and projects whilst retaining his role as Executive Director for Chisholm Enterprises and Texel Air.
Following the Kaikoura earthquake in November 2016 and ongoing travel challenges Steve and his wife Lynn moved from Kaikoura to a lifestyle block in Mapua where he was able to support the growing Bahrain operations and fleet expansion plus focus on New Zealand aviation opportunities with John Chisholm cumulating in the formation of Texel Air Australasia.
NYNKE CHISHOLM // DIRECTOR
Nynke is originally from the Netherlands but lived in the Middle East on and off for 30 years.
She has also spent time in the UK and South Africa where she was involved with IT recruitment before returning back to Bahrain.
Here she started her aviation career helping John establish a freight charter operation from Bahrain, which later developed into Texel Air.
Moving back to New Zealand in 2011, she now runs a small sheep and beef farm with John.
She is co-owner of Texel Air Australasia as well as several other companies related to aviation and property investment in New Zealand.
ROB MACGREGOR // CEO
Rob has spent more than 50 years in the aviation industry, with a wealth of experience and knowledge, he's worked in a range of roles across different sectors, including airlines, aviation authorities, training academies and maintenance repair organisations.
His passion for aviation began in the early 1970’s when he started as a licensed aircraft engineer. As he continued to work in the aviation industry, Rob took on more senior roles, including General Management and Chief Executive positions. He has spent 8 years as an Airworthiness Inspector, as well as serving as an Advisor to the European Aviation Safety Authority (EASA) on the Airbus A320 family MRB.
Rob's extensive experience has allowed him to work in different parts of the world, with over 20 years' experience working in the Middle East region. He's provided advice to aviation authorities around the world on state safety oversight programs per ICAO ANNEX 19 and consultant services to international airlines, maintenance repair organisations, and technical training schools. Rob has taught aviation legislation and regulatory structure in an aviation academy and has carried out certification and surveillance of large aviation organisations.
Aside from aviation, Rob has experience in other industries, including serving as CEO of one of New Zealand's largest furniture manufacturing companies and as General Manager of New Zealand's largest hardwood processing company. Throughout his career, Rob has won several awards, both in aviation and non-aviation companies.
Rob's expertise and passion for aviation continue to make a significant contribution to the industry, making him a highly respected and valuable member of the aviation community.