Rob Newman leaves Nearmap

Perth-founded tech company Nearmap has implemented big staff cuts shortly after global investor Thomas Bravo completed a $1 billion takeover.

The departing staff include chief executive Rob Newman, who told Business News he decided at the end of last year that it was time for a change.

“It was absolutely 100 per cent my decision,” he said.

“I’m not a casualty.”

Mr Newman said he decided to leave the company at the same time as a broader restructure that would result in about 20 per cent of staff leaving.

Mr Newman said Nearmap planned to focus on the US and Australian markets, and therefore global roles such as chief marketing officer Harvey Sanchez would not be needed.

Another person leaving is chief financial officer Penny Diamantakiou, while chief operations officer Andy Watt will be the new chief executive.

Nearmap joins many other big tech companies in making big layoffs this year.

“It’s a different environment,” Mr Newman said.

“Companies are looking for profitable growth rather than growth at all costs.”

At a personal level, he said running a global company from Perth had been exhausting.

“I’ve put in an enormous amount of time over the past five years and you get tired,” Mr Newman said.

He said he planned to spend the next few months relaxing, after which he would consider mentoring or other roles.

Nearmap was founded in Perth in 2007 by Stuart Nixon, who has developed the technology behind three successful aerial mapping companies.