Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern presents John Roy with Young Achiever of the Year

Coretex congratulates our Technology Architect John Roy, who was named the Young Achiever of the Year at the NZ Hi-Tech Awards on Friday night. This award recognises a young achiever who has made an outstanding contribution to a New Zealand hi-tech company. The award was presented to him by Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and Louis Go, representing the award sponsor Xero.

In awarding Roy, the judges said they were “... inspired with his leadership and maturity beyond his 22 years, demonstrating an in-depth ability to guide and shape the evolution of Coretex - not only as a technical architect, but with his interaction with customers and across the business, championing culture, showcasing innovation, leading teams and winning customers. The judges feel honoured to have met the greatest and most humble young kiwi leader yet.” 

In acceptance, Roy paid tribute to the judges, colleagues and his mentors from Coretex – CEO Selwyn Pellett and CTO Akinyemi Koyi – thanking them for the opportunities to learn and grow, as well as the opportunity to fail, where some of his most fundamental lessons were learned. “I wouldn’t have been able to do this if I was anywhere but Coretex” Roy said. After thanking his parents, he also offered up some key life advice to other young entrepreneurs – “Make sure you call your Mum every now and again.”

Roy has risen swiftly within Coretex. In the last two years, Roy has been promoted from a contract developer to Coretex Technology Architect, responsible for leading the multimillion-dollar development of the company’s flagship US Electronic Logging Device (ELD) solution. He produced a world class solution that is transforming the freight industry and played a significant role in winning Coretex’s largest customer to date.

“In the time that John has been with Coretex, I have seen him grow and exceed all expectations” says Selwyn Pellett, CEO of Coretex. “He is the smartest, most talented and committed young person I have met in my 40 years in the technology industry. He deserves all the accolades he can get - he is truly exceptional.”

The NZ Hi-Tech Awards celebrate New Zealand’s most successful hi-tech companies and highest achieving individuals. Originally launched in 1994 as the VSI Electronics Excellence Awards, they have since evolved into a platform for recognising the best all of our technology industries: ICT, electronics, software, biotechnology, creative, telecommunications and digital media. The Awards programme, administered by the NZ Hi- Tech Trust, promotes the sector as a leading contributor to New Zealand’s economy and export success, and enjoys the support and input of our highly successful technology industries.

For a full list of winner and nominees, please see here.