29 January 2026 - OfficeMax, New Zealand’s leading workplace and education solutions provider, is pleased to announce the appointment of Adrian Blake as its new Managing Director. Adrian assumed the role in mid-January 2026 and will lead the company into its next chapter of growth. He succeeds Kevin Obern, who will retire at the end of March 2026 after 13 years of dedicated leadership.
Under Kevin’s direction, OfficeMax strengthened its market position, navigated significant industry change and delivered trusted solutions to thousands of businesses and schools nationwide.
Kevin Obern, outgoing Managing Director, says, “It has been an absolute privilege to lead the business for more than a decade. I’m proud of what we’ve achieved together and confident in OfficeMax’s future under Adrian’s leadership.”
Adrian brings a diverse wealth of experience in B2B markets and a proven track record of leading high-performing teams. Starting out in dairy farming, his career has progressed through commercial, category and sales roles at Suntory Oceania, Mondelez International, and most recently as General Manager at Fletcher Steel.
Adrian Blake, incoming Managing Director, says, “This is a business that has built strong customer relationships by adapting to change. With a clear sector focus, we’ll build on that momentum, shaping solutions around customer needs and delivering sustainable growth.”