Published on the 26/10/2016 | Written by Newsdesk
Rachel Kelly named deputy…
With a career in technology which started in 1993, Pham is also recognised as one of the two founders of Auckland software development company Augen. His deputy, Rachel Kelly, is a director of Hamilton-based consultancy SparkTank. Both were elected to the NZTech board in July this year.
In a statement, Pham described his appointment as an important opportunity to make a difference.
“Rachel and I are fortunate to be on the NZTech board and now entrusted with the chairing roles. We are looking forward to continue working with our members, partners, sector and the rest of the economy to connect, promote and advance New Zealand as well as our impact on and relevance to the rest of the world,” he said.
He tipped his hat to outgoing chair Bennett Medary, board members, chief executive Graeme Muller, advisors and staff and added, “From our Digital Nation report research, we recognise that technology doesn’t just make up a significant and fast-growing part of our economy, but pervades right across it, and impacts on not just productivity but also growth, advancement and internationalisation of all other sectors. As such, we need to increase the level of engagement between technology and the rest of the economy.”
Providing insight into where the organisation will focus its attention, Pham said that outside of the country’s main centres, the technology sector is still not yet widely or strongly connected. “There is more work to be done in this area of development. It is an asset to us that our deputy chair is from the Waikato and is passionate about the opportunity to connect with the regions.”
He added, “It is vital that we continue working to increase and expand our connection with the rest of the world. Technology has traditionally been lacking as part of the Kiwi story that we have been projecting to the world, especially in but not limited to regions such as Asia, where large local and regional digital economies and technology consumption appetite have been growing exponentially in recent years.”
Focusing on expanded international connections, he said, will provide access to new markets, customers, investment capital, talent and other resources, to support and accelerate growth of the technology sector and the economy in general.
Kelly said there is a common misunderstanding around the word ‘technology’ which is not ‘restricted to circuitry and whirring gears’. “It is integrated and leveraged through everyday company operations and services. As we begin to accept tech as a broader tool, companies that had never thought themselves tech will realise they play a critical [crucial] part of the ecosystem.”
She, too, talked up the regions, and said a stronger NZ technology sector and for NZ Inc, it is necessary to acknowledge the importance of regional collaboration and communication. “Some of the best start-up ideas began in a garage and there are plenty of garages outside major cities,” Kelly added.
