NZ Intel chief quits

The worldwide technology market slowdown has claimed a high profile local casualty with Intel deciding not to replace its New Zealand general manager, Scott Gilmour who is leaving to pursue a consultancy business.

In early March Intel said it would shed 5000 employees worldwide in the next nine months, largely through attrition.

The world's largest microprocessor manufacturer also announced its first-quarter revenues would slump as much as 25 per cent from the prior quarter as the economic slowdown that is dampening demand for personal computers, has spread to networking, communications and server components.

The attrition effect means the New Zealand subsidiary's sales and marketing staff of three will now report to Australia. The move does not affect the 80 staff working for the New Zealand division of computer telephony manufacturer Dialogic which Intel acquired in July 2000 for $1,936 million ($US780 million).

Mr Gilmour who was appointed general manager in June 1997 has been with the Intel for 12 years holding a variety of senior posts in the United States including field sales support, product management and new channel development.

He has mixed emotions about the move: "No other company could have given me the breadth of opportunity and rewards, I've had here, so there is tremendous sadness to be leaving that. But equally I'm pumped up about what I'm about to do."

He plans to offer consultancy services to technology-based startup companies and will be continuing his involvement with Unitec's Centre for Innovation and Entrepreneurship and its high tech incubator.

He said the career move was partly a lifestyle decision related to staying with his family in New Zealand. But it also stemmed from seeing the breadth of startup possibilities here.