Express Data appoints new CEO

Former Express Data executive David Gage will return to the company next month to take over the chief executive role from veteran Ross Cochrane.

Cochrane, who has held the lead role for a decade, will shift into a part time non-executive role with the distributor and work with the board and parent company Dimension Data on strategy and direction for the business.

“While it’s been an exciting environment with lots going on, I got to the point that I wanted to reallocate my focus a little,” Cochrane told CRN.

“I like to use the skills I’ve built up to be more strategic, rather than the day-to-day operations of business.

“Then it was about trying to work with my boss [Dimension Data Group CEO Brett Dawson] to agree.

“I’ve been lucky to have found common ground and it will work well,” he said.

Ross said changes to the industry including the move to cloud played a part in his decision. But, adding personal time was also a factor.

“There’s been a bit of transition going on and it’s those times when opportunities become available.

“We’ve said many times we’re looking to innovate, add more value and grow.

Further, "I’m really generally interested in business and quite happy to look around outside of IT," he said. 

But, he might also fit in a “midweek game of golf.” And, “I’ll spend some time doing training, I still do a lot of triathlons or I might ride [my bike] for an extra hour,” he said. 

The acquisition of Dimension Data by Japanese telco NTT last year had no impact on his decision, Ross said.

Ross' replacement Gage has been in the Dimension Data family for 12 years and was most recently the general manager for IT learning organisation Dimension Data Learning Solutions.

His replacement was yet to be announced. 

Before that, Gage worked at Express Data for six years in regional management roles and led the Expressonline subsidiary.

Gage has worked closely with the majority of the Express Data management team in the past.