Rod Drury

Rod Drury is a well-known Kiwi business personality and serial entrepreneur specializing in the technology sector. He’s the founder and CEO of the NZX-listed online accounting software company Xero, and a director on the New Zealand stock exchange.

Having forged close links with Microsoft after working in the telecommunications industry in New Zealand and the US, a 27-year-old Rod left the safety of full-time employment in 1995 and, together with three partners, founded Internet developer and service provider Glazier Systems, one of New Zealand’s first Microsoft development companies. The business, which still trades as Intergen, was sold to Advantage Group for $7-million in 1999.

In 2000, Rod co-founded US-based Context Connect Incorporated based on technology that increases connectivity between different mobile networks – a huge learning curve in dealing with venture capitalists and Intellectual Property (IP). In 2003, he co-founded an award-winning email archiving software company, AfterMail, which he sold three years later to Quest Software. His next venture was joining forces with chartered accountant Hamish Edwards to form Xero – an easy-to-use small business accounting platform based on the Software-as-a-Service model.

Rod won the NZ High-Tech Entrepreneur award in 2006 and 2007. In 2008, he was conferred as an Honorary Fellow of the  New Zealand Computer Society (HFNZCS) in recognition of his achievements, ongoing advocacy and willingness to assist others in the industry. In 2009, Rod was a recipient of New Zealand’s most prestigious hi-tech award, the Tait Flying Kiwi, and in 2011 was given the Victoria University of Wellington Distinguished Alumni award.

Rod sits on the New Zealand Trade & Enterprise Beachhead Advisory Board as well as the Victoria University Faculty of Commerce and Administration Advisory Board, and is a member of the New Zealand Institute of Directors. Previously, he was on the board of TradeMe and SQL Services.

Rod is always keen to share what he’s learned as an entrepreneur, and has written a series of articles on useful start-up business information to help you take your business to the next level.