Synergy Plus appoints CEO

Former Alphawest chief Garry Henley has joined ASX-listed services integrator Synergy Plus (SNR) as its new CEO.

Henley replaced Peter Cappendell, who had served as acting CEO since August 2009 and has now taken on the role of Chief Operating Officer (COO).

Synergy Plus's chairman, Domenic Martino, said the board had committed to wait for the right candidate to be found before formally appointing a new CEO.

The company, which was originally named ComputerCorp, has been through changes in management and direction since 2006, when founder Hugh Smith sold the business and retired.

Before Cappendell was appointed acting CEO, the company was led by Murray Mansell until 2007 and Robin Rindel until 30 June 2009.

Its rebranding as Synergy Plus in November 2009 was to reflect a change in focus following its acquisition of competitors Synergy Plus and S Central in June 2009.

Shortly afterwards, the company reported a net profit after tax of $824,000 for the second half of 2009 -- an improvement from its $753,000 loss in previous corresponding period (pdf).

Synergy Plus had interviewed an "enormous number of people" through specialist recruiters, head hunters and referrals, a company spokesperson told CRN.

Finally, it was approached by Henley, who had been working as a consultant since leaving Alphawest.

"Synergy Plus has made considerable progress during the past six months," Martino said in a statement. "The transformation of Synergy Plus is well underway and is starting to show some significant results.

"Customers, partners and staff are starting to see the outcomes of the transformation and Garry's role will be to continue to deliver on the transformation plan that the board has put in place."