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Xero CEO and successful technology entrepreneur Rod Drury is to become a Director of NZX, effective today.
A passionate business person with a clear vision for New Zealand's entrepreneurial future, Drury is distinctive for his ability to turn technology ideas into thriving companies, recognised internationally for their excellence and ongoing growth potential.
NZX Chairman Andrew Harmos said, "NZX's current businesses, and its future capabilities, are founded on a unique combination of strategy and people, technology and determined loyalty toward a successful New Zealand. Rod's credentials reflect all of these.
"Rod shares the same vision of success for New Zealand business on a global scale, and we're confident that NZX, and the companies in our markets, will benefit from his insight and energy."
Rod Drury said, "Listing on NZX - our national stock exchange - should be an aspiration of all New Zealand business owners. Our businesses need the capital to grow, and create attractive investment opportunities for other New Zealanders to be part of that growth.
NZX CEO Mark Weldon said, "Rod's belief in what Kiwi companies can achieve is evidenced in the success of his own businesses - AfterMail and Xero - Xero having been strongly supported by the market, and having grown rapidly since listing with NZX in 2007.
"Technology is the great 21st century enabler for businesses in all sectors, regardless of their scale, and for timely and transparent access to markets here and around the world. This is the right time for NZX to add a technology expert and entrepreneur to its board and we're excited by the possibilities of what we can achieve."
Drury's first official role as an NZX Director will be to address the final 2009 Global Entrepreneurship Week event at the NZX Centre on 20 November.
A full bio for Rod Drury is attached to this release.
Rod Drury
- Founder and CEO of Xero, NZX listed online accounting solution for small businesses.
- Member of Victoria University of Wellington Facility of Commerce Advisory Board.
- Honorary Fellow of the New Zealand Computer Society (HFNZCS).
- KEA World Class New Zealander (2008).
- NZ Hi-Tech Entrepreneur of the Year in 2006 and again in 2007.
- Absolutely Creatively Wellington Award in 2007.
- Founder and CEO of AfterMail which was acquired by Quest Software in January 2006 and subsequently won Best Exchange Product at TechEd 2006 in Boston.
- Co-founder of USA based Context Connect Incorporated which provides directory solutions for mobile devices. Awarded several international patents in the directories area.
- Chief Technology Officer of listed company Advantage Group (now Provenco), spending significant time in the USA working with leading international technology companies.
- In 1995 established Glazier Systems, one of New Zealand's leading software development and consulting companies. Glazier Systems was acquired by Advantage Group in 1999 and continues today as Intergen.
- In the late 80s to early 90s worked at Ernst & Young/Arthur Young, as well as spending several years working on telecommunication billing systems both in New Zealand and the United States.
- 'Influencer' relationship with Microsoft and selected as New Zealand's first representative on the Microsoft MSDN Regional Director program, holding the role from 1997 to 2000.
- Independent Director of TradeMe - at the time it was sold to listed Australian media company Fairfax for NZ$750 million.
- Independent Director of SQL Services Limited that was sold to Australian company SecureData.
- Member of NZ Trade & Enterprise Beachheads Programme Advisory Board from August 2006 to 2008.
- Member of the New Zealand Institute of Directors.
- Bachelor of Commerce and Administration (BCA) from Victoria University, majoring in Accounting.
