Computerworld

Chorus GM defects to Xero

Victoria Crone will leave Chorus and take up a role at another listed New Zealand company

Victoria Crone is set to become Xero managing director after stepping down as Chorus general manager sales and marketing.

The New Zealand broadband infrastructure firm announced Crone would leave the company on April 4 to take up a role at another listed New Zealand company.

She will take up the role of managing director at Cloud software firm Xero following her departure.

According to a Xero company statement, Crone will be be a key member of the global sales leadership team, responsible for driving relationships with government, financial institutions, corporates and media in New Zealand.

Xero chief executive, Rod Drury, said the company had rapidly grown to over 90,000 small business customers and $NZ25 million of annualised committed revenue.

“We’re thrilled to have a world class executive like Victoria focused 100 per cent on our local market as we embark on the delivery of our next wave of services,” he said.

“We’re uniquely positioned in New Zealand to redefine Business to Business and Business to Government connected services, that can be globally rolled out.

"Our vision is to make New Zealand an international case study for electronic business.”

Chorus chief executive, Mark Ratcliffe, said Crone had been central to the development of Chorus over the past two years.

“She has been a passionate advocate on behalf of our customers and a strong believer in the power of fibre to transform New Zealand,” he said.

“She will leave behind a legacy of innovation, including the Gigatown initiative.

“Victoria leaves with our best wishes for the future.”

Chorus will release its half year results, for the six months ended December 31, 2013, prior to market opening on February 24.