New CEO appointed to lead EROAD’s next growth phase
EROAD (NZX/ASX: ERD) has appointed David Leach as Chief Executive Officer, effective 12 October 2026. The appointment marks the final piece of a year-long leadership rebuild, described by the company as a shift “from reset to execution.”
EROAD is a hardware-enabled SaaS company delivering safety, compliance, sustainability and efficiency solutions for complex vehicle fleets across New Zealand, Australia and North America. To ensure leadership continuity through to Leach’s start date, Executive Chair John Scott has had his appointment extended for a limited period.
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Why David Leach, and what he brings
Leach is a New Zealand based technology executive with more than two decades of experience building, scaling and transforming technology businesses serving global markets. According to EROAD, his appointment followed “a thorough and competitive search process.”
His credentials include:
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Currently Chief Executive Officer of JAVLN, a cloud-based insurance software business.
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Previously Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director of Cin7, where he expanded annual recurring revenue more than fivefold to over NZ$110 million, while improving profitability and helping build a global platform serving more than 8,000 customers across more than 100 countries.
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Holds a Bachelor of Engineering (Computer Engineering, Honours) from the University of Sydney.
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Currently serves as Chair of the Board of Directors at Archipro.
John Scott, Executive Chair
“David is the right leader for EROAD as we move from reset to execution. He has a proven track record of scaling software businesses, building high-performing teams and delivering disciplined growth. At Cin7, he expanded annual recurring revenue more than fivefold to over NZ$110 million while significantly improving profitability and helping build a global platform serving more than 8,000 customers across more than 100 countries. He brings exactly the combination of global SaaS scale-up experience, commercial discipline and technology leadership that EROAD needs to execute on its strategy.”
For investors, Leach’s software scaling track record is directly relevant. The annual recurring revenue growth he oversaw at Cin7 aligns with EROAD’s own SaaS model, though those figures relate to his prior role and not to EROAD.
Understanding EROAD’s business and the leadership reset
EROAD operates a connected platform used by commercial and government operators to manage vehicles, assets and drivers with greater visibility and control. Its “hardware-enabled SaaS” model combines physical in-vehicle devices with cloud-based software, supporting highly regulated fleet operations including those moving food, concrete and aggregates.
The company’s heritage is rooted in regulatory expertise, having delivered the world’s first GPS-based road user charging system in New Zealand, where it remains the market leader today.
The “reset to execution” narrative reflects work undertaken over the past year. According to Scott, the company strengthened the Board, reshaped the leadership team, reset its operating model and sharpened its focus on customers. Leach is described as “the final appointment to that leadership team.”
For investors, this frames a company that has spent a year rebuilding its foundations and is now positioning for its next growth phase under experienced software leadership.
Leach’s vision and strategic priorities
Leach said he was pleased to be joining EROAD at an important stage in its evolution, pointing to opportunities in connected and smarter transportation. His stated priorities centre on building EROAD’s AI-native platform, accelerating growth and creating long-term value.
David Leach, Chief Executive Officer
“Building on its past success, EROAD has an opportunity to lead the world in connected and smarter transportation. I am excited to join the team and work with the Board, leadership team and our customers to build EROAD’s AI-native platform, accelerate growth, and create long-term value. My focus will be on improving customer outcomes, strengthening execution and ensuring we invest our time and capital in the areas that produce the highest returns for customers and shareholders.”
Remuneration package
Leach’s remuneration package comprises a base salary alongside short-term and long-term incentives subject to performance conditions. Full details of his employment terms will be made available in EROAD’s FY27 Remuneration Report.
| Component | Detail |
|---|---|
| Base salary | NZD $595,000 per annum |
| Short-term incentive | Target of 33% of base salary per annum, subject to performance conditions |
| Long-term incentive | Target of 100% of base salary per annum, subject to performance conditions |
| Standard executive benefits | Including health insurance |
What it means for investors and next steps
Leach commences as Chief Executive Officer on 12 October 2026, with John Scott continuing as Executive Chair until then. The appointment provides leadership certainty, placing a proven SaaS operator at the helm as EROAD moves into its next growth phase.
The transition frames EROAD’s shift from foundation-building to execution under experienced software leadership. Notably, no forward financial guidance or targets have been disclosed beyond Leach’s stated strategic priorities.
Key facts at a glance:
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New CEO: David Leach
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Effective date: 12 October 2026
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Interim leadership: John Scott (Executive Chair, extended for a limited period)
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Full remuneration detail: FY27 Remuneration Report
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