IBM New Zealand has announced they have filled the managing director role that will be left vacant following current MD Rob Lee's upcoming retirement from the company.

Mike Smith returns to IBM after 17 years away from the business, and will take up the managing director role where he will focus on the relationships with IBM;s local clients and partners.

Earlier in his career, Smith held a number of sales and management roles at IBM I Wellington and Christchurch. Since then, he has held executive and management roles at numerous companies including Spark Digital, Revera, CCL and served as chief executive at Oxygen Business Systems.

“Mike's knowledge of the New Zealand market, leadership experience and lasting affinity for the IBM brand make him the right person to lead IBM New Zealand,” says Kerry Purcell, managing director, IBM Australia and New Zealand.

“Mike's focus will be to work with our local clients and partners, helping them to realise the opportunities of the digital era,” she explains.

Smith replaces Lee who has led IBM's New Zealand business for the last three years. He will retire from IBM come the end of November.

Smith says, “Having once worked at IBM, and more recently competed against the company, receiving this opportunity to lead the New Zealand team is a real privilege.

“Few companies have IBM's ability to create new markets and help solve significant business and societal problems with technology,” he explains.

“IBM is transforming how it does business, making this an exciting time to engage with clients and partners.