Justin Tye joins Chillisoft board

Cyber security distributor Chillisoft has appointed seasoned business leader Justin Tye to its board. 

The Reseller News Hall of Fame member has a 38-year career in the IT industry including leadership roles at HP and various IT distribution firms. He was a co-founder of Exeed in 2002 and successfully scaled the company before its $68 million acquisition by Dicker Data in 2021. 

Tye will leverage his extensive expertise in IT distribution to help accelerate Chillisoft’s expansion in the Australian market and maintain growth in New Zealand and the Pacific.

“Chillisoft has built an impressive reputation in cyber security distribution. From Geoff’s founding vision to Alex’s leadership today, the company has grown into a trusted name in the industry. I’m excited to join the board and help drive its next phase of growth in both New Zealand and Australia,” Tye said. 

Chillisoft strategically branched out into the Australian market, hiring Gavin Lawless as its new Australian CEO. 

Chillisoft provides value-added cyber security services, including white-labelled, partner-friendly 24/7/365 Managed Detection and Response (MDR) and Identity Detection and Response (IDR) solutions.

The company also provides extensive vendor-level technical and pre-sales support, and engages the community through conferences, events and awareness outreach.

“I’m very pleased to welcome Justin to the board – we’re very fortunate to get his expertise, perspective and industry mana on our team,” Chillisoft founder and director Geoff Cossey said.

With significant opportunities emerging in Australia, Tye’s deep understanding of business operations on both sides of the Tasman will help Chillisoft scale efficiently while maintaining strong corporate governance and agility.

“Growth isn’t just about speed—it’s about making the right moves at the right time,” Tye added. “We’re focused on strategic expansion, ensuring we scale effectively while continuing to deliver top-tier cybersecurity solutions.”

With a strong foundation, an experienced leadership team, and a reinforced board, Chillisoft is poised for a new chapter of growth, bringing cyber security solutions to partners and customers across A/NZ.

“The cyber security landscape is changing faster than ever. Businesses that don’t evolve quickly risk being left behind,” Chillisoft CEO Alex Teh said. 

“Justin’s experience in scaling businesses and navigating market dynamics in both NZ and Australia aligns perfectly with our vision for growth.”