Perry Blackney to stay in IT

Former Synergy Plus boss Perry Blackney said intends to stay in the IT industry and is looking for another CEO role following his departure from the integrator on February 27.

Blackney parted ways with the company following as a difference of opinion on the company's direction.

“I’m keen to continue in a role as CEO of an IT organisation as I have experiences with corporate organisations like IBM and Intel and also a strong marketing and sales background.

"I would also like to work with a small IT company that want someone with experience in finance and the overseas market," he said.

Synergy chairman Victor Aghtan announced on March 16 that Blackney decided to resign due to "irreconcilable differences with the board" which is also made up of Paragon boss and former Synergy CEO Bill Votsaris.

It is believed that there was a disagreement between Blackney and board members over the timing of a public listing for the organisation.

The board would start the search for a new CEO at the beginning of next financial year. In the meantime, both Aghtan and Votsaris are actively involved in the day-to-day running of Synergy.

Blackney said he harboured no ill feelings toward Aghtan and Votsaris and they all remained firm friends.

“I left because we had issues we couldn’t resolve. I have no grudges with Synergy it was just a difference of opinion. Victor and I have a long business relationship in place and we remain good friends,” he said.

Despite leaving in February, Blackney’s departure wasn’t officially announced until March because all parties involved wanted to make sure the hand over was smooth and the appropriate people were notified beforehand-- especially Synergy’s largest customer IBM.

Blackney started his career in IT at IBM back in 1980, working in the compnay's banking, finance and retail branch.

He left IBM after seven years and went to work as a stockbroker and financier. Blackney marked his return to the IT industry by accepting a position with Computer Associates in 1999.

After a year he was offered a position with Intel and spent more than five years with the company, working in various departments.

Synergy expects to report about $42 million in sales revenue this financial year.