Microsoft NZ general manager Barrie Sheers bound for Asia

Microsoft New Zealand's Barrie Sheers is leaving his post as general manager of the company, destined for Microsoft Asia as the company's One Commercial Partner regional business leader.

Current Microsoft New Zealand enterprise director Vanessa Sorenson will succeed Shears as NZ general manager from April 1.

Commenting on his time at Microsoft New Zealand, Sheers says it has been an amazing and formative experience. He joined Microsoft New Zealand as managing director in 2015.

"I joined this organisation at such a critical time, when the company was returning to an unprecedented level of innovation, trust and relevance. I am both humbled and privileged to have played even a small role in that moment of Microsoft's incredible history. And with Vanessa taking over as GM I believe we have an incredible succession plan in place, which will see Microsoft New Zealand move from strength to strength.

Microsoft's One Commercial Partner (OCP) organisation harnesses the power of partnership to drive digital transformation for customers. With a shared commitment to growth and profitability for partners and customers alike, Microsoft delivers the innovative products, programs, services, and tools its powerful ecosystem of partner organisations need to succeed and grow.

"For me OCP is one of the most interesting and dynamic areas of the business today. Having spent a decade running IT businesses in Asia, I am very happy to be returning to this amazingly diverse, vibrant and exciting region with a partner ecosystem to match," Sheers said.

Microsoft senior director of One Commercial Partner field strategy and operations, Camille Mazo, says Sheers is leaving a legacy at Microsoft New Zealand.

"We are very pleased to welcome Barrie to OCP. His leadership helped the New Zealand business more than double since 2015, win top global subsidiary twice, strengthen relationships with partners and customers, differentiate and take market share from competitors, and fully embrace a diversity and inclusion culture benefiting everyone. Barrie's business acumen and track record of success will be a great addition to our organisation.

Vanessa Sorenson joined Microsoft in October 2017. Since becoming enterprise director, she has been instrumental in building Microsoft's relationships with key business customers and is also a noted champion of diversity and inclusion across the tech industry.

"My past three years have been a huge learning journey, and I'm thrilled to be in the privileged position of leading the New Zealand business," Sorenson says.

"Working alongside the best talent I have ever come across, and with the strong growth and trust Barrie has helped us create, I see so much potential ahead. I feel incredibly excited to be taking over from Barrie, who is leaving Microsoft NZ in such great shape for the future.

Passion, innovation, determination and humour – that's the power-combination Vanessa brings to this role," adds Sheers.

"It's this combination that will ensure New Zealand continues to punch above its weight.