Tim Dacombe-Bird appointed Head of Google Cloud New Zealand
Leadership appointment
Dacombe-Bird, who will be based in Wellington, is tasked with supporting New Zealand businesses as they adopt AI technologies and develop digital capabilities using Google Cloud's services. His appointment is positioned as part of Google Cloud's continued investment in the country, following its recent initiatives aimed at boosting digital transformation efforts in the region.
Paul Migliorini, Vice President of Google Cloud for Australia and New Zealand, commented on the new appointment, highlighting Dacombe-Bird's experience in the sector. He said, "Tim is a recognised industry leader in the New Zealand technology landscape, and we are delighted to have him join our team. With a history of successfully leading rapidly growing businesses and developing high-performing teams, Tim has been at the forefront of some major technology shifts and his expertise will be invaluable in helping our customers maximise their AI and digital strategies."
Focus on AI and digital transformation
Dacombe-Bird described his enthusiasm for guiding Google Cloud's presence in New Zealand, focusing on support for local businesses as they progress along the digitalisation journey. In his statement, he said, "I'm incredibly excited to step into this role and lead Google Cloud's journey here in Aotearoa. New Zealand businesses are inherently innovative, adaptable, and ready to embrace the next wave of digitisation. I'm passionate about working with our customers and partners to leverage Google Cloud's leading AI capabilities, helping to drive efficiency, and unlock new possibilities. With Google Cloud's ongoing investment in, and our commitment to New Zealand, it's an exciting time to be part of the growth story for Kiwi businesses."
Caroline Rainsford, Country Director of Google New Zealand, also underlined the significance of Dacombe-Bird's experience. She stated, "We're thrilled to have Tim join the Google New Zealand team, bringing with him deep knowledge of cloud and well established connections to the Public Sector. Google is committed to developing and strengthening the digital capacity of Aotearoa, and to bringing the best of Google's AI to businesses, communities and individuals to grow our digital future."
Recent initiatives
Google Cloud has seen increased uptake among New Zealand organisations, notably for its comprehensive range of AI solutions. Auckland Council recently began trialling 'Ask Auckland Council', an AI assistant built on Google Cloud AI platforms in partnership with Deloitte. The tool aims to provide Auckland residents with access to council information more efficiently across digital channels.
In 2023, Google Cloud entered into an All-of-Government Cloud Framework Agreement with the New Zealand Government. This arrangement allows eligible government agencies to modernise their systems and build secure digital applications.
The company's investment in regional infrastructure includes the recent announcement of the Pacific Connect Initiative, bringing two transpacific subsea cables, Honomoana and Tabua, to improve the reliability and resilience of digital connectivity across the Pacific. The Honomoana system is set to add a connection to Auckland and allow for new points of presence in both Melbourne and Sydney.
Background
Before joining Google Cloud, Dacombe-Bird held several leadership roles in the technology industry in New Zealand, including positions with Wiz, AWS, and VMware. I'm incredibly excited to share that I've joined Google Cloud as the Country Manager for New Zealand. Based here in Wellington, I'm super passionate about the opportunity to lead the Google Cloud team across Aotearoa. Our mission is clear: to empower New Zealand businesses, government agencies, and innovative startups to accelerate their digital transformations, solve complex challenges, and unlock new growth opportunities with Google's world-class cloud technologies, data analytics, and AI capabilities. New Zealand's digital future is bright, and I'm eager to contribute to its continued evolution. I look forward to working closely with our incredible team, our valued partners, and connecting with customers across all sectors to understand their ambitions and help them achieve them. Let's build innovative and secure cloud solutions together for New Zealand!
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