New managing director for Microsoft New Zealand

Paul Muckleston, announced as new managing director Microsoft New Zealand,

Paul Muckleston has been appointed Managing Director for Microsoft New Zealand. He will start in his new role 2 August 2010 and replaces Kevin Ackhurst who is moving to Singapore to take up the position of vice-president Sales and Marketing for Asia Pacific.

“A 14-year veteran of Microsoft, Paul returned home to New Zealand a year ago to lead the Marketing and Operations team and has since gone on to successfully launch Windows 7 and Office 2010. He has driven cultural change and has been instrumental in Microsoft New Zealand’s attainment as one of the top performing Microsoft subsidiaries in the last financial year,” said Emilio Umeoka, vice president Microsoft Asia Pacific.

Paul joined Microsoft in 1996 as an Account Manager in the Enterprise Partner Group and since then has played a leadership role in various segments including the Communications Sector. Other roles include Director Developer & Platform Group, Director Small and Midmarket Solutions & Partners and Director Marketing & Operations.

In 2005, Paul relocated to Paris as Director Strategy & Business Management for Central & Eastern Europe. Two years later he moved to Munich as General Manager for Small & Midmarket Solutions & Partners for Central and Eastern Europe across 24 subsidiaries and 33 countries, with 500 employees driving significant growth in customer acquisition, satisfaction, revenue attainment and organizational development.
“Paul is a seasoned leader, who we are excited to have lead New Zealand to its next phase of growth”, said Emilio.

“I feel privileged and honored to be able to represent Microsoft to New Zealand, and New Zealand to Microsoft. After being away for four years, I definitely feel like I’ve come home to a bigger, stronger and more agile team. My predecessor Kevin Ackhurst has been very successful in building up the subsidiary’s capability and performance whilst increasing our customer’s and partner’s satisfaction and the reputation of Microsoft in New Zealand - my goal is to continue building on this strong foundation, whilst working with our partners towards some longer term aspirations. One of my key aspirations is to make Microsoft more relevant and impactful to Kiwis,” said Paul Muckleston, newly appointed, managing director Microsoft New Zealand.

Paul recently joined the board of NZICT which has a mandate to collaborate with business, aligned associations, communities and Government to promote the use of ICT to enhance our country’s competitiveness and the growth of the NZ ICT industry.

Paul graduated from University of Massey with a BBS in International Business and Post Graduate Diploma in Business Administration. He is married to Maritza and they have two children, Jackson (6) and Zara (3). He is an avid sportsman and is currently training for the Auckland marathon in October.