Board of Directors
Phil Norman Non-Executive Chairman
Phil is Managing Director of Nortek Management Services Limited, a boutique business advisory firm providing mergers and acquisitions advice and business development services for growth companies. He has over thirty years experience in the ICT sector, having been an owner, manager, director and investor in a number of local and international companies.
These roles have included the establishment, growth and successful exit of an accounting software company, Interactive Applications Limited, which at the time the business sold was the market leader in New Zealand and Australia; the establishment of the first New Zealand distributorship for Microsoft and then, subsequently, a sales and marketing management position in the start-up team for Microsoft New Zealand; a two year assignment for Telecom New Zealand during which Phil was responsible for the conception and rollout of Xtra, Telecom’s Internet Service Provider; and a five year term as Executive Chairman of Strathmore Group Limited, an NZX-listed technology investment company.
Phil also has considerable venture capital and investment banking experience. He was Chairman of the New Zealand Venture Capital Association during 2002 and 2003 and is currently a member of New Zealand Trade & Enterprise’s Beachheads Advisory Board. He is also a board member of Connect New Zealand, a national development group established to enable the international growth of New Zealand based technology firms.
Phil holds an MBA degree from the University of Auckland and is also a member of the Institute of Directors in New Zealand, the New Zealand Institute of Management and the New Zealand Computer Society.
Graham Shaw Non-Executive Director
Graham is a chartered accountant with 30 years experience in business. He provides commercial advisory services to SMEs, mentoring advice to senior executives and sits on a number of corporate and not-for-profit advisory boards.
Graham spent 10 years with KPMG advising small and medium sized enterprises. He then joined Works Infrastructure where he held a number of finance roles before being appointed Chief Executive, leading the organisation to substantial growth and successful expansion into Australia. Graham has also been CEO of Kensington Swan, one of New Zealand’s national law firms.
Graham has a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Canterbury. He is a Fellow of the New Zealand Institute of Management, an accredited management mentor and a Companion of the Institution of Professional Engineers of New Zealand.
Guy Haddleton Non-Executive Director
Guy Haddleton is co-founder and chief executive of award winning, US product innovator Ascadia, which develops and markets products for consumer and business-to-business markets. Guy was founder, chairman and chief executive of enterprise performance planning software leader Adaytum, from 1990 to 2002, which after expanding from market leader in the UK to Europe, the USA and Asia Pacific, was sold in 2002, for $US160 million.
Before Adaytum, Guy was managing director at London marketing and subscription management company TV Direct. Guy has also held senior management positions in the UK distribution industry, served as an officer in the New Zealand army and is an MBA graduate from the University of Otago.
Guy is currently based in Minneapolis, USA, after emigrating from New Zealand in 1985, but is now looking to spend a greater proportion of his time in New Zealand.
Sam Morgan Non-Executive Director
Sam Morgan is best known for founding online auction website TradeMe which, in 2006, was sold for $700 million.
Sam started his career at Deloitte Consulting before establishing TradeMe.
Sam has also built online dating businesses in New Zealand, Australia and Canada. He also runs New Zealand’s largest friend reunification site, Old Friends. Sam’s ventures focus on three things – usability, empowering consumers and connecting people.
Sam is active as an international speaker on electronic business topics and is recognised as a thought leader in web based consumer applications.
Sam is an active investor in New Zealand companies with holdings in a number of successful technology businesses including iVistra Technology and Sonar6.
The Team
Rod Drury Chief Executive / Executive Director
New Zealand Hi-Tech Entrepreneur of the Year in 2006 and 2007, Rod sold his award-winning email archiving software company, AfterMail, to USA publicly listed company, Quest Software in January 2006.
In the late 1980s to early 1990s Rod worked primarily for Ernst & Young, as well as spending several years working on telecommunication billing systems both in New Zealand and the USA. Throughout his career Rod has maintained a close relationship with Microsoft and was selected as New Zealand's first representative on the prestigious Microsoft Developer Network (MSDN) Regional Director programme, holding the role from 1997 to 2000. Rod achieved Microsoft Most Valuable Professional status for his work in the early days of Active Server Pages.
In 1995 Rod developed one of New Zealand's first Microsoft development companies, Glazier Systems, which was acquired by Advantage Group in 1999 and continues today as Intergen. In 2000, Rod co-founded Boston based Context Connect which holds several mobile directory patents.
Rod was an Independent Director of TradeMe and SQL Services at the time of their trade sales and continues on the TradeMe Advisory Board. Rod is also on the New Zealand Trade & Enterprise Beachhead Advisory Board.
Rod is a high profile advocate of the New Zealand software industry and has provided angel funding to a number of new software companies in a bid to develop local talent and experience.
Rod has a Bachelor of Commerce and Administration from Victoria University of Wellington, majoring in Accounting.
Hamish Edwards UK Managing Director and Co-Founder
Hamish is a co-founder of Xero and worked as Xero’s CFO until shortly after the company’s IPO, when he relocated to the UK, where he currently heads up Xero’s UK operation. Hamish’s key focus in the UK is banking relationships, partnerships and the accounting industry.
Hamish was formerly CEO, now Chairman, of Openside, one of New Zealand’s fastest growing chartered accounting consulting firms. Through Openside Hamish continues to help fast growth technology businesses with business development, funding and new market entry assistance.
Hamish is a small business expert and has been featured in or written for Real FD, Accountancy Age, Accounting Web, the Fairfax Group, the National Business Review, M2 Magazine and various other publications.
Hamish is a Chartered Accountant, holds a Certificate of Public Practice and has a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Otago, majoring in Marketing and Accounting.
Alastair Grigg Chief Operating Officer
Alastair joined Xero from Air New Zealand, where he was Chief Information Officer for the last three and a half years, responsible for an extensive global portfolio of over 400 enterprise systems, 200 staff and significant IT infrastructure outsource operations contracts with IBM, Axon and Telecom New Zealand.
At Air New Zealand, Alastair oversaw a transformation of IT service performance, while reducing the company’s annual IT operating costs by over $40 million and delivering significant new strategic initiatives, including the innovative Airpoints Dollars loyalty scheme and new online booking and customer self service systems.
Alastair has 16 years of IT industry experience, involving roles with IT vendors such as IBM, Computer Associates and Geac, contrasted by roles in successful start-up ventures such as Telecom Xtra, Glazier Systems and www.utilyx.com. This experience has covered a wide range of roles including business establishment, general management, business development, systems development and programme management.
Alastair holds a Bachelor of Horticultural Science (First Class Honours) from Massey University.
Vivian Morresey General Manager Sales
Vivian Morresey brings to Xero a wealth of experience gained from a career of more than 20 years in technology and business. Initially trained in telecommunications, he has held roles in sales, service and marketing for a number of successful companies including Computerland, Toshiba, Apple and Xtra.
For the last 10 years Vivian has focussed solely on internet business, including the creation of his own eBusiness. He joins Xero from hosted service customer relationship management software provider RightNow CRM, where he cemented the New Zealand operation of this global business for process solutions provider Datamail.
Vivian has operated at all levels of corporate business, and has a unique insight into small businesses. His balance and understanding of corporate internet life and empathy for small business makes him ideally suited to Xero.
Paul Williams General Manager Finance
Paul has the critical role of General Manager Finance for Xero. He is an integral part of the company’s executive team in a reporting and financial control capacity, and works closely with the board of directors.
Paul joins Xero after six years at Telecom, where he held various finance roles within the Mobile and Consumer operating segments. Previously Paul was Chief Financial Officer at Works Infrastructure and was also a Senior Audit Manager at Price Waterhouse during which he spent some time in the United States and the UK.
Paul lives in Wellington with his wife and two children. In his spare time he is a keen squash player and soccer coach. Paul holds a Bachelor of Commerce and Accounting from Victoria University and is a Chartered Accountant with some 25 years’ experience.
Hamish Carter Relationship Manager
Hamish Carter is a New Zealand icon who has achieved phenomenal success on the international stage. As 2004 Olympic Gold Medalist, he brings passion and dedication to small and medium sized enterprises, having been a highly successful business operator himself, through the management of events, sponsorships and his supporters.
Craig Walker Chief Technology Officer
New Zealand Hi-Tech Young Achiever of the Year in 2007, Craig Walker leads Xero's software development team. Craig has spent his career building mission critical Internet applications, including co-founding software-as-a-service provider Viatx and working for leading Microsoft consulting firm Glazier Systems, now Intergen.
Mark Hallett UK Business Development Director
Mark joins Xero with a wealth of UK accounting industry experience. He has worked directly with a number of UK software houses including Sage, Pegasus, Access and Digita, dealing with both accountants and small businesses. He has also worked at HM Revenue & Customs.
Michelle Perera Product Manager
Xero's product manager Michelle Perera is an experienced IT professional and qualified chartered accountant whose career has focused on ensuring that systems developed exceed customer requirements and improve customer experience.
Grant Cartwright South Island Account Manager
Grant Cartwright’s highly successful sales career is built on the delivery of excellent levels of service coupled with the understanding of business processes. He has strong relationships within the South Island accounting industry – he joined Xero from tax and legal publishers CCH NZ, where he was South Island Regional Manager. Previously he was Sales Manager for print and direct mail providers Moore Gallagher, and Sales Manager at Telecom Directories.
Philip Fierlinger Head of Design
Philip Fierlinger founded iconic US digital design firm Turntable.com, whose clients included Apple, Sony and Macromedia. Before joining Xero, Philip worked for acclaimed web agency Shift, working on the NewZealand.com and IRD websites. His work has garnered numerous design accolades, including two Webby Awards.
Kirk Jackson Senior Developer
Kirk Jackson is a Microsoft Technologies guru. He has spent the past six years developing server and web client solutions for small businesses, corporate, and government customers. Kirk has been awarded a Microsoft Most Valued Professional for each of the past four years, recognising his knowledge of ASP.NET and contributions to the local development community.
Andrew Butel Product Manager
Andrew Butel founded Microsoft software shop Nexsys Development, which in 2004 merged with Calcium Software, becoming New Zealand’s leading digital marketing provider. Andrew’s career has focussed on the cross-over between business and software – understanding business objectives and strategies, and architecting and delivering software in line with this – and includes management of two new software companies. He holds a Bachelor of Science, majoring in computer science, and a Bachelor of Commerce and Accounting, majoring in accountancy, both from Victoria University of Wellington.
