Celebrating 26 Years of Visionary Leadership: Terry Snow Announces Retirement from Canberra Airport
Today, Terry Snow announces his retirement from active management at Canberra Airport and the Capital Property Group.
The Snow family and Canberra Airport reflect on his 26 years legacy at the Airport and 50 year legacy in the Canberra property industry investing in our National Capital, with immense pride and satisfaction.
Owner and leader Terry Snow AM's vision to provide Canberra with an airport worthy of the Nation's Capital has been successfully realised. Today, Canberra Airport stands as a testament to this mission, with what is unquestionably the best airport terminal in the country, a key element of Terry’s vision to create the best small airport in the world for his own hometown. The land on which sheep grazed at the time of privatisation is now the bustling Brindabella Business Park; and following the attraction of Costco to Canberra, the retail precinct of Majura Park has gone from strength to strength; and the historical Fairbairn base has been rejuvenated with the headquarters of the Therapeutic Goods Administration being the most recent facility developed.
Terry Snow reflected, "This accomplishment is not mine alone. It is the result of the unwavering support and dedication of my family and our truly exceptional staff. This airport is as much theirs as it is mine.
“Our staff have worked tirelessly, demonstrating remarkable dedication, persistence, and a commitment to my pursuit for excellence. They have much to do in the future, but their steadfast commitment to this task and to our city remains absolute. I am deeply grateful for their hard work and congratulate them on a job well done.
“Looking back from what was literally a humble tin shed in a paddock in 1998 to what we have today, our journey is a testament to our unwavering commitment and passion for quality and excellence. We have transformed our vision into a reality for this city, and it is something of which I am incredibly proud.
“Some of my proudest moments are not just about the physical developments we have made, but about the team and the culture we have built. The dedication, professionalism, and camaraderie of our staff will continue to uphold the high standards we have set. The legacy we have built together will continue to thrive and serve our community for years to come.
“I want to announce that I am stepping down as Executive Chairman of Canberra Airport and our broader Capital Property Group. Stephen Byron will
remain as Airport and Group CEO. Tom Snow will be the new Chair of the Airport board, alongside existing non-executive independent board members, Amanda Lampe and Brad Geatches.”
“While we still have a long way to go before reaching our full potential, we have set the template for the next 30 or 40 years under the leadership of Stephen Byron, the CEO.
Quotes attributable to Stephen Byron, Chief Executive Officer
“We are immensely grateful for Terry’s leadership, unwavering commitment to excellence, and visionary thinking, which has been truly remarkable. It has been a privilege to witness our airport grow from a humble tin shed in a paddock to the best little airport in the world.”
“His legacy is not only in the remarkable developments but also in the people who make up our organisation. His passion for our city, his hometown, and his country’s National Capital, as well as his belief in giving people a chance, have always been his mantra. This philosophy has allowed us to build an incredible culture within our business, creating a team that is second to none. We are firmly set up for the many opportunities ahead of us, and there is much to do, not only at Canberra Airport, Denman Prospect but also in our other projects, including developing two new sites in the City Centre.”
ENDS
About Canberra Airport
In 1998, the Australian Government sold the airport to Capital Airport Group, led by Terry Snow. This marked the beginning of major redevelopment projects. A significant transformation occurred between 2009 and 2013, which included new road systems, car parks, aprons, and a completely new terminal, which was, at the time, the largest private-sector infrastructure project in Australia.
Since purchasing Canberra Airport in 1998, Terry Snow has invested over $2 billion in aviation, commercial, and retail infrastructure to grow the airport precinct into a modern and sophisticated transportation and business hub worthy of the Nation’s Capital. He championed competition and the growth of new domestic routes as well as the first-ever regular international services into Canberra – from Singapore with Singapore Airlines, which was closely followed by Qantas Airways flights to Doha.
Terry’s vision was to create one of Australia’s best and most vibrant commercial business parks - Canberra Airport is now home to: Brindabella Business Park, Majura Park, and Fairbairn and amongst the more than 35 new buildings there is the Australian Border Force headquarters, the Australian CyberSecurity Centre, the Defence
Science Technology organisation (including the Chief Defence Scientist), the Therapeutic Goods Administration and the headquarters for the Australian Signals Directorate.
One of these landmark buildings is 8 Brindabella Circuit, which was awarded 5 stars under the Green Star rating system of the Green Building Council of Australia—the first 5 star rated building in Australia (at that time and for the next 20 years, the highest attainable rating).
Terry Snow’s passion for Canberra extends well beyond the Airport precinct
In 2015, the ACT Government sought expressions of interest for a greenfield development in Canberra’s newest suburb, Denman Prospect. Terry saw the opportunity to create and shape an entire suburb, including retail, parkland, playgrounds, and community amenities. Denman Prospect was Australia’s first entire suburb to have solar on every house. It was also the first large-scale project to support the Homes 4 Homes initiative.
In 2016, the ACT Government put out a tender for the land at 1 Constitution Ave in the Canberra CBD. One of the tender conditions was that 20,000 square metres of office space had to be leased to the government. The family won the tender through their Capital Property Group. They developed Constitution Place, a lively urban precinct that brings together government and private offices, a hotel, laneway retail, and public spaces.
Philanthropy
Led by Georgina Byron, the Snow Foundation was founded in Canberra by brothers Terry and George Snow in 1991 to make a difference to people’s lives. Terry and George had a pretty straightforward view – if you see someone struggling, you give them a helping hand. The Foundation has become one of the largest philanthropic organisations in Australia, funding more than 440 organisations and 520 individuals. With an annual giving for 2022–2023 of $10 million, its total giving since inception exceeds $80 million.
In 2006, Terry Snow was awarded an Order of Australia for his contribution to the city of Canberra, and to building the Canberra Airport as well as for his charitable work through the Snow Foundation.
In 2019, under the leadership of Tom Snow, Terry established The Snow Medical Research Foundation to focus philanthropic efforts in medical research and innovation. The Foundation is at the forefront of philanthropic efforts to advance biomedical research in Australia. With a commitment now totalling $220 million, Snow Medical supports the development of outstanding biomedical research leaders and their teams, driving innovation and excellence in healthcare solutions for the future.
Tom Snow Bio
Tom Snow has served as the director of Canberra Airport for over 14 years, and as the Deputy Chair of the Airport for the last years. He is a highly experienced company director, having served as a director of Perth Airport, Bankstown Airport, Port of Adelaide and Etihad Stadium, and was also the inaugural Chair of Equality Australia and the Snow Medical Research Foundation. He is a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.