Holmes takes seat on Kordia board

Former Optimation CEO still seeking full-time roles in IT sector

Former Optimation CEO Rhoda Holmes has been appointed as an independent director on the board of state-owned telecommunications company Kordia, effective 1 November.

Holmes says she put her name forward to be considered for the appointment.

“I’m really pleased about [the directorship] as it gets me back to telecommunications again, which is where I’ve spent most of my career. It’s a great opportunity to give guidance to the management based on my experiences,” she says.

Holmes is the former Australasian general manager for Telecom integration arm Gen-i.

She does not replace anyone on the Kordia board. However, Holmes says she is still looking for full-time work within the IT industry. She has applied for a number of roles, but wouldn’t yet reveal what these were.

Holmes’ CEO role at Optimation was dissolved in mid-September by owner Neil Butler to save costs and make way for a new managing director, his brother Martin Butler.

At the time, Neil Butler said he did not envisage resurrecting the CEO role.




Holmes had only been with the company for a year and prior to joining Optimation, she spent 25 years in the IT industry in Australia, the UK and in New Zealand

Kordia has also appointed Auckland businesswoman Janine Smith as its deputy chair. She is a director of The Warehouse Group and chairman of McLarens Young.