Brett O'Riley to head new NZ ICT industry body

Stuart Corner
Wednesday, 04 March 2009 11:08

IT Industry - Market

Brett O'Riley, currently head of Australian company Ochre Services has been named CEO of the newly formed NZICT Group, created in December 2008 to represent the supply side of the country's ICT industry.

NZICT says it will take a leadership role by collaborating with business, aligned associations, communities and government to promote the use of ICT to "enhance the country's competitiveness for the betterment of all New Zealanders."

NZICT Group aims to focus on three main areas initially: advocacy, raising the industry's profile in terms of its economic delivery, and the industry's current skills shortage.

"Brett has over 20 years experience in the ICT sector as well as a deep understanding of government. This will be of tremendous value in raising awareness of the vital role ICT plays in New Zealand's economic growth as well as providing a voice for the industry as a whole," said Kevin Ackhurst, interim chair of the NZICT Group and Microsoft New Zealand managing director. "Brett will be working with government and other associations and groups to help raise the industry's profile and to get the message across that ICT is vital to New Zealand's future."

"I'm looking forward to returning to New Zealand to take on the challenge of leading this new industry group," O'Riley said. "My priorities are to ensure the ICT industry supports the national broadband initiative, addresses the skills shortage and contributes to creating jobs and wealth by stimulating New Zealand's economy during this tough time."

Since 2006 O'Riley has been managing director of Ochre Services and Ochre Networks, responsible for building a start-up telecommunications infrastructure development business with projects in Australia, Thailand, Indonesia and Singapore. Prior to that he held senior executive roles at Gen-i, Telecom New Zealand, Nava Networks, Southern Cross Cable Network and Pacific Gateway Exchange.