25 August 2010 - NZICT Board elects new Chair

The NZICT Board has elected CEO of the Simpl Group Bennett Medary as the new Chair.

Medary takes over the role from Cisco Country Manager Geoff Lawrie, who recently completed his one year term as Chair. Mr. Lawrie was the Chair of the first elected board. He did not seek reelection.

Medary, who founded New Zealand-based systems integration company Simpl over 15 years ago, was voted in as the new Chair on the basis of his vision for the New Zealand hi-tech industry, his commitment to engage with NZICT members and his ambition to extend the scope of the Group’s membership.

“Bennett is a well-known industry leader who has created a successful New Zealand business,” says NZICT CEO Brett O’Riley.

“Based on his past Board member activity, he will bring a unique mix of practicality and passion to the role.

“I would like to thank Geoff Lawrie for the commitment and skills that he displayed during his one year tenure as Chair,” says O’Riley.

CEO of New Zealand-based systems integrator company Kinetics Group Andrew Hunt was elected as the vice Chair at the NZICT August Board meeting.

“I am very excited to be appointed as Chair,” says Bennett Medary, “and I am looking forward to the year ahead, where we will seek to enhance and compliment our representation.

“We aim to engage with more local hi-tech companies as well as other industries using technology to improve productivity and drive economic growth for New Zealand.

“As Chair I have promised to engage strongly with other industry groups and government, in order to establish a unified vision-in-action for New Zealand’s technology industry that is aimed at propelling the nation forward.”

Biographies:

Bennett Medary - Simpl

After more than 20 years as a recognised leader in the commercial use of technology - 15 of which have been spent at the helm of The Simpl Group, the systems integration company he founded in 1992 - Bennett Medary doesn’t describe his work as creating IT solutions, but rather harnessing technology to enhance people’s lives.

Bennett is a pioneer in New Zealand systems integration, renown for facilitating collaboration among industry sectors and organisations, particularly within the healthcare sector.

Unafraid to question perceived truths or voice views alternative to established thinking, Bennett is a vocal proponent of using vision to drive positive, long-term solutions that benefit New Zealand’s productivity and sustainability. 

Andrew Hunt - Kinetics Group 

Andrew is CEO of Kinetics Group Ltd, an Auckland based system integrator focussed on the small and mid-market sectors. He is actively interested in the wider business environment, and is a director of EMA (Northern) and a member of the Business NZ Council.

He has also been involved in local area network support and design for Small and Medium business. Before forming Kinetics Group, Andrew had roles at Rudd Watts and Stone (now Minter Ellison) and NZI Group.

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