Alan Hyde has been named as managing director of NEC Australia, marking the first time that the company has appointed a local business head in the last 41 years.

Hyde will replace Watura Takeuchi, who has left his role to return to Japan. He will take the NEC role immediately.

Before taking the position, Hyde was previously the chief executive at SAP. He has held the role since 2007. Hyde also worked in senior roles with PeopleSoft in Australia and the UK.

In an interview with Computerworld Australia, Hyde said that he was looking forward to growing the business of NEC Australia. He added that the company's strategy in Australia will focus on systems integration and service for businesses.

Kiyofumi Kusaka, chief executive of NEC Asia Pacific, said that Hyde would be an asset to the company as aims to expand to new markets.