Lancom names Priscila Bernardes as new CEO after acquisition

Lancom Technology has announced Priscila Bernardes as its new CEO, succeeding Waruna Kirimetiyawa, who will now serve as Lancom Group Managing Director and ANZ CEO for Lyra Technology Group. Lancom Technology, based in Auckland, was acquired by San Francisco-headquartered Evergreen Services Group in late 2023.

Bernardes, originally from Brazil, began her career in New Zealand with limited English skills. She quickly advanced from an office manager position to leadership roles in the technology sector. Bernardes holds a bachelor's degree in business management from Brazil, a postgraduate diploma in business, and an MBA from the University of Auckland.

Commenting on her new role, Bernardes said, "My mission is building on the legacy established by Lancom Technology founder Warwick Eade and Kirimetiyawa, to whom I report and continue to work alongside. It's been quite a journey after arriving with no English and going from there."

Under her leadership, the company aims to expand its managed services and software development capabilities in New Zealand and Australia. The Melbourne office, established in 2020, is seen as a strategic location for further growth.

Bernardes has played significant roles in Lancom Technology's growth, from joining as a Customer Experience Manager in 2015 to becoming the General Manager in 2021. During her tenure, she contributed to strategic direction, governance, and performance management, leading to annual growth rates between 20 and 30 percent. The company also completed acquisitions of firms such as Powernet IT Consultants NZ, Redbrick Technology, and Connect 2.

Kirimetiyawa congratulated Bernardes on her new position, stating, "Like me, Priscila has remained faithful to our company through thick and thin. She has an impeccable work ethic, a keen sense of what matters to customers, and is an inspirational leader for our technology and customer services teams. Working together, we've achieved multiple milestones for the company, and with her as CEO, it's safe to say that this is just the beginning."

Elliott Hyman, CEO of Lyra Technology Group, also extended his congratulations, saying, "We want to congratulate Priscila and Waruna as they embark on their new roles. Priscila, for the past ten years at Lancom, has demonstrated exceptional leadership skills and an obsession with customer success. We are looking forward to her leading Lancom to new heights. Waruna's approach to relationships and business has been completely in line with Lyra's culture of decentralisation and autonomy. As Regional CEO, he will be the flag bearer for Lyra in Australia and New Zealand, and we couldn't have asked for a better partner for this next chapter."

Bernardes attributes her career progression to the company's core values: talent, continuous learning, humility, perseverance, and curiosity. "Warwick started our graduate programme on the basis of these values, and Waruna joined the company in much the same way as I did—as an immigrant keen to create and add value," she explained.

She also acknowledged the mentorship of Eade and Kirimetiyawa, noting that their support has helped many individuals within the company advance their careers. Bernardes aims to continue Lancom Technology's legacy as an incubator for talent and innovative technology solutions that drive business forward. "We'll do that across ANZ and other markets," she confirmed. "We're known for delivering quality and technology excellence across demanding and complex engagements. And we're also known for customer loyalty, with our very first client still with us 36 years later—and amazingly, they signed on in the year I was born," she concluded.