SMS chief exec steps down after 26 years

SMS Management and Technology has announced the retirement of chief executive and company veteran Tom Stianos.

The IT solutions provider said in a statement to the ASX that Stianos would be stepping down at the end of the calendar year at the age of 61. Upon his departure Stianos will have finished 26 years at SMS, half of that period as CEO.

"The company has become a big part of my life and I will continue to be a big supporter and loyal shareholder," said Stianos.

The chairman, Derek Young, himself only appointed in June, paid tribute to the outgoing chief: "He took on the CEO role when the company was struggling to remain viable and transformed it, delivering strong earnings growth over the first decade."

"Tom's decision gives the board time to undertake an external search as well as assess internal candidates, ensuring an orderly transition before Tom retires."

Last week SMS was nominated as a finalist in Microsoft Australia's partner awards for the CRM Partner of the Year category. The 1,600-staff company has offices in all the mainland capitals, as well as Vietnam, Singapore and Hong Kong.