Geoff Lawrie is departing Cisco New Zealand after nine years in the top role, with Dave Wilson (pictured) stepping into the role of country manager from November.

Lawrie  is leaving to ‘extend his career in governance and advisory roles', Cisco says.

Wilson has been with Cisco for five years and is a member of the vendor's New Zealand executive team. Most recently he has been leading Cisco's engagement with the telecommunications industry.

Prior to joining Cisco, Wilson held both local and international leadership roles with technology companies including Ericsson in New Zealand and Europe.

Lawrie's departure has drawn tribute for Lawrie from Cisco ANZ vice president Ken Boal, who says Lawrie has overseen ‘significant growth, guided our customer and partner relationships and developed a high performing team in New Zealand' over the past nine year.

“Geoff hands over to Dave Wilson with the business in great shape,” Boal says.

“Customers, partners and staff can have the utmost confidence in Dave's ability to drive the next chapter of our growth in New Zealand, which will see Cisco continue to be a major contributor to New Zealand's technology-enabled future,” Boal adds.

Lawrie is a well known face in the New Zealand IT industry, with more than 35 years in the sector, including five years in the late 90s and early 2000s as Microsoft New Zealand's managing director.