Computerworld

CodeBlue bolsters ranks with new CEO hire

"I am highly focussed and determined to further accelerate our progress towards that goal.”

Former Computerland and Optima CEO Chris Mackay has taken up the role of CEO at nationwide IT services company CodeBlue.

A long time investor and director of CodeBlue, Mackay takes over the CEO role from fellow investor and executive director Ken Davis, who now shifts his focus to strategic acquisitions and developing opportunities in overseas markets.

Working in the IT industry for over 30 years, Mackay is seen by many in the industry as a seasoned CEO, IT company director and business advisor, drawing on over 17 years’ experience as a CEO managing and growing IT infrastructure and software development companies.

He is a former CEO of successful New Zealand IT services company Computerland (acquired by Telecom in 2004), and of software company The Optima Corporation (acquired in April 2014 by Intermedix US).

“Ten years ago Ken Davis founded CodeBlue with a vision to bring enterprise-strength IT services to small to medium-sized New Zealand companies and organisations, at a price they could afford,” Mackay adds.

“I bought into that vision seven years ago and I am highly focussed and determined to further accelerate our progress towards that goal.”

Mackay became a director and major investor in CodeBlue seven years ago, working closely with CodeBlue founder Davis since that time, growing CodeBlue into its current position as the largest nationwide IT services company serving small to medium sized companies with between 20-300 seats.

At present, more than 160 staff work from nine branches at major centres in the North and South Island.