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Comworth Group founder hands over the reins

Announcement posted by Comworth 12 Sep 2014

Thirty one years after laying the foundations for the Comworth Group of companies, founder and CEO David Charlesworth is retiring, effective October 1. As he steps down, the Group companies are instituting a reorganisation which positions each of the three business entities well for future growth and prosperity.

The Comworth Group is comprised of technology hardware distributorComworth Technologies, cloud software developer Virsae and integrated contact centre, collaboration and telecommunications solutions specialist Agile. Each business gains more focus and dedicated leadership in the reorganisation, while continuity is ensured through the promotion of proven senior managers.

  • Comworth: Long-serving member Mark Charlesworth is appointed Managing Director of the Comworth Group while continuing in his role as GM of Comworth Technologies
  • Agile: Previously General Manager Services, Robyn O’Reilly is appointed CEO.
  • Virsae: Tony Jayne, who has served as CEO across Virsae and Agile, becomes dedicated CEO of the cloud software company.
  • Although stepping down from the day to day executive management of the Comworth Group subsidiaries, David Charlesworth remains as Chairman of the Group.

“While the technology industry has changed immeasurably since our first day of trading over three decades ago, some constants have remained. Those are a focus on customers, dedication to innovation and the ability to flexibly respond to rapidly evolving markets. In taking retirement, I have every confidence in the proven skills of the executives who are stepping up to take the Comworth Group businesses to new heights,” says David Charlesworth.

Mark Charlesworth has an established reputation with staff and clients of the group, having proven his capabilities as general manager of Comworth Technologies over the past seven years and management roles at Clear Communications and Nokia.

Virsae, which provides cloud software for unified communications service management, gains the dedicated leadership of Tony Jayne, who formerly split his time between Virsae and Agile Integration. His 25 years of executive experience is now focused on Virsae as the company seeks to expand its global reach.

Robyn O’Reilly is elevated to CEO of Agile, a natural progression for a career which started in 1996 at the forerunner to the company.

The Comworth Group was founded as family business in 1983 and steadily grew under David Charlesworth’s leadership, ably supported by his wife Bronwen. Today, each of the three companies provide technology solutions to customers across New Zealand and around the world.

Headquartered on Auckland’s North Shore, the Comworth Group has offices in three locations across New Zealand and an office in Sydney. It employs over 100 people, many of whom have been with the business for over 20 years.

Awards that the company has won over the years include recognition from Microsoft in the form of several Solutions Awards, Reseller of the Year awards from OKI and Zebra, and the inclusion of founder David Charlesworth as a member of the Enterprise North Shore Business Hall of Fame. Charlesworth was also named an Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year, winning in the Technology, Communication and Biotechnology category in 2004.

As an avid sailor and prominent member of the local sailing scene, Charlesworth and Comworth have long supported the sport, starting with Peter Blake and Steinlager 2’s Round the World campaign, to the OKI 24 Hour Race, heralded as the world’s toughest dinghy race, and the World Match Racing Series with the RNZYS.

David has worked closely with the local community, having been an active member of East Coast Bays Rotary for over 30 years whilst also supporting organisations such as Mairangi Arts Centre, Rangitoto College and Murrays Bay School.

The Comworth Group looks forward to sound growth by building on the solid business principles and ethos established by David Charlesworth, while benefiting from his continued oversight as Chairman.

David Retirement