Microsoft New Zealand has appointed a new SaaS partner lead, tapping Hayley Horan to fill the role.
She is tasked with guiding the global tech giant’s effort to grow Aotearoa’s software-as-a-service sector.
Horan spent more than five years working for government body NZ Trade and Enterprise, including stints as a trade commissioner to Singapore and the tech sector lead.
Most recently, she was the chief growth officer for data analytics company Data Insight and has also worked for nearly four years for Z Energy leading its SaaS product development.
Horan will be working with partners to connect them with capital and specialist expertise, and helping to build a technology skills pipeline for the industry, Microsoft said in a press statement.
To underscore the importance of Horan’s new role to Microsoft, the company pointed to the growth of NZ’s tech exports in recent years and the government’s drive to continue to grow the sector.
Horan said that she recognises the innovation in-country and wants to help grow it further, with the support that Microsoft can provide.
“SaaS is a huge area of opportunity for New Zealand’s tech sector, as seen through the global success of companies like Cin7, FlexiTime and LawVu,” she said.
She added that Microsoft’s incoming NZ data centre will further help the SaaS sector reach international markets.
Horan co-wrote the strategy for SaaS in the Government’s industry transformation plan and helped establish the KiwiSaaS business community, alongside Callaghan Innovation.
Microsoft NZ managing director Vanessa Sorenson reinforced the messaging that the company is looking to help NZ tech companies gain further global reach.
“We’re thrilled to have Hayley on board, who shares that passion and brings with her deep expertise in helping New Zealand startups become global successes. We can’t wait to see what she can do for the SaaS sector here,” Sorenson said.
