Wayfare has promoted Russell Thomas to Fiordland and Stewart Island Experience general manager in a shake up of staff roles. 

The move to organise the company, which includes Real Journeys and Go Orange brands, along more geographical and thematic lines sees Real Journeys GM Paul Norris become Chief Conservation Officer. 

Bridget Legnavsky, GM of Wayfare's Queenstown Lakes skifields Cardrona Alpine Resort and Treble Cone, will take overall responsibility for all Wayfare experiences, with a promotion to Wayfare Chief Experience Officer.

Wayfare CEO Stephen England-Hall says the changes, especially Norris' new role, aims to build a more sustainable business, while also creating greater connection to the local communities it operates in.

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The company will also appoint a Real Journeys GM for Queenstown.

"We're moving to a completely different operating model and organisational structure, so there isn't going to be a brand by brand GM," England-Hall says.

"Our thinking there is really about providing strong, location-based leadership that connects with the communities, the people and the cultural values of the area."  

England-Hall believes Wayfare is the first New Zealand tourism business to appoint at Chief Conservation Officer. 

Norris will lead conservation and sustainability initiatives across the group. Last month, he was presented with the New Zealand Order of Merit by Governor-General Dame Patsy Reddy, for services to tourism and conservation.  

Paul Norris and Governor-General Dame Patsy Reddy

"Our founder, Les Hutchins, famously said 'conservation is the real cornerstone of New Zealand’s tourism industry... and the right direction to go is to take more notice of conservation issues, not less'. 

"This newly created role does exactly that.  

"After 27 years in our business, Paul is passionate about conservation and has the perfect credentials.  

"He has spearheaded most of our successful projects to protect, restore and enhance our unique areas - like the Cooper Island Restoration Project in Dusky Sound. 

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"This role will give Paul a dedicated team and the ability and scope to further develop our conservation programme and kaitiakitanga across the group for the benefit of current and future generations."

That means Real Journeys / Go Orange Head of Customer Experience Russell Thomas takes responsibility for the company's operations in Fiordland and Stewart Island, which include popular cruises of Milford Sound, Doubtful Sound and Dusky Sound. 

Thomas has been with the company nine years, previously as Go Orange GM, Real Journeys product development manager and for the past year, head of customer experience. 

Russell Thomas

The Real Journeys GM for Queenstown will be responsible for the TSS Earnslaw, Walter Peak, Go Orange rafting and jetboating, the water taxis and other products.

England-Hall says Legnavsky will continue to be involved with Cardrona and Treble Cone, as part of her larger role.

"Bridget is a visionary leader, with an incredible talent for building team culture to deliver an outstanding guest experience and we want to continue to ensure this is developed further across the group.  

"She will lead, coach and mentor a team of GM’s responsible for Wayfare's tourism and ski experiences across their locations." 

A new ski experience general manager will be appointed for the mountains, near Wanaka, reporting to her.

Bridget Legnavsky

Director of Sales Julia Savill becomes Wayfare Chief Sales Officer. 

"The changes have opened up a number of new leadership growth opportunities within the company and have not resulted in any job losses," says England-Hall.