Desmond Ling appointed managing director NZ to lead MacGear
Industry veteran Desmond Ling has taken on the role of New Zealand Managing Director at distributor, MacGear. He will be based in Auckland in the new role.
"I'm thrilled to announce that I've joined MacGear," Ling wrote in his LinkedIn announcement. He described MacGear as "a leading distributor of technology and consumer electronics across Australia and New Zealand." The newly appointed Managing Director also indicated his eagerness to drive the business forward through MacGear's network of retail and brand partners, with a focus on bringing the latest technology to consumers.
In the same post, Ling thanked colleagues and supporters for their role in his career to date, and he expressed excitement about the new role. "A huge thank you to everyone who has supported me on my journey so far," he stated. "I'm excited for what's ahead and always open to connecting with brands, retailers, and partners who share the vision for delivering cutting-edge tech to consumers."
MacGear Group, with a 17-year legacy in the Australian and New Zealand markets, focuses on optimising the performance of consumer brands in the region. The company has an extensive distribution network supported by a team of over 50 staff, and it utilises cutting-edge IT infrastructure to deliver tailored solutions for its partners.
Career background
Ling brings nearly three decades of industry experience to his new role at MacGear. He was most recently the General Manager at Dicker Data New Zealand, serving in that position from March 2022 until this month. In that role, Ling was responsible for overseeing the distributor's operations and driving growth in the New Zealand market.
Prior to his time at Dicker Data, Ling spent ten years as a director at Exeed New Zealand, from 2013 to 2023. In that post, he played a key role in expanding the company's presence in the New Zealand tech distribution space. Exeed experienced significant growth during that period and was eventually acquired by Dicker Data.
Before joining Exeed, he held senior roles with global distributor Ingram Micro. Ling worked at Ingram Micro's New Zealand arm for nearly a decade (2002–2011), rising through the ranks from Vendor Management to become General Manager. He then moved to Sydney for a stint as Senior Director and General Manager at Ingram Micro Australia (2011–2013), gaining experience in the broader Australasian market.
Ling began his career in the mid-1990s at Tech Pacific, another major distribution firm, where he served as a Sales and Marketing Manager. Which was itself acquired by Ingram Micro.
Now, as Managing Director for New Zealand at MacGear, Ling brings a deep understanding of the Australasian tech distribution landscape. MacGear looks to be a major player in the increasingly competitive and fast-paced consumer technology distribution market.
