NEC New Zealand Managing Director to step aside

NEC New Zealand, a leading technology solutions and services provider, today announced that its Managing Director Leonard Dench will step aside at the end of May due to health reasons.

Leonard Dench says, “Unfortunately, I'm now unable to give my undivided attention to the role. I remain passionate about NEC and am immensely proud of what we've achieved. This company is on an excellent growth path and I'm confident that the leadership team and board will continue leading NEC New Zealand successfully”.

Mr. Dench started his career as a telecommunications technician and advanced into strategic business planning and tactical execution. From 2011-2014, he was General Manager at NEC New Zealand, responsible for leading the local operation in collaboration with the wider NEC group. He was responsible for the growth of the business, including Information and Communications Technology, Public Safety and Smart City. Mr. Dench's passion for innovation and collaboration to create new business value with customers led to the opening of the NEC Technology Innovation Centre in Wellington in 2013. Mr. Dench will continue his involvement with NEC New Zealand as a Non-Executive Director.

Tetsuro Akagi, CEO of NEC Asia Pacific and Senior Vice President of NEC Corporation, said that Mr. Dench's resignation had been reluctantly accepted. “On behalf of the board, we sincerely thank Leonard for his contributions to NEC New Zealand. He is passionate about the business and has dedicated his life to NEC. His decision to step aside is courageous, but made in the best interests of NEC. We are all very sorry at this outcome, but hope he can now take time to address what is most important”.

Mr. Akagi will act as Managing Director of NEC New Zealand pending the announcement of a new Managing Director which is expected in July 2016.