Umbrellar’s 25-year cloud journey: Ian Hassell on innovation, AI & the future of NZ tech
In the inaugural episode of Umbrellar’s Digital Changemakers podcast, Chief Sales & Marketing Officer Shavvah Aldred sits down with CEO Ian Hassell to explore the remarkable 25-year journey of Umbrellar — from the early days as a consolidation of hosting services to a trusted leader in cloud infrastructure, and now, an independent New Zealand tech powerhouse.
A legacy built on cloud innovation
Ian recounts the origins of Umbrellar, which began as a merger of web hosting and domain name companies. Over time, the business diversified into three core areas: managed services, professional services, and data center operations. With the rise of Microsoft Azure, Umbrellar became a pioneer in helping New Zealand businesses adopt cloud technologies early — even earning Microsoft’s trust as a cloud distributor and Azure Stack implementer in New Zealand.
The Pax8 chapter and return to independence
In 2021, Umbrellar was acquired by US-based cloud distributor PAX8, focusing heavily on cloud product distribution. But in 2023, the opportunity arose for Ian to lead a management buyout of the direct services side of the business, allowing Umbrellar to regain its independence and focus on core infrastructure and cloud services.
What now? What next?
Returning to its roots, Umbrellar is honing in on cloud infrastructure, AI adoption, and supporting customers through secure, scalable, and optimized cloud environments. According to Ian, this includes helping clients stay ahead of rising cloud costs, ensuring secure and well-architected environments, and preparing businesses for the next technological leap — AI.
Challenges in the Cloud
One key insight Ian shared was that cloud adoption is not a one-time project. Many businesses still assume migrating to the cloud is a plug-and-play solution, but real success lies in aligning business goals with the right technical architecture, cost control, and security measures. Whether just beginning the journey or already in the cloud, Umbrellar supports organizations through every stage with deep expertise and ongoing management.
People first, always
Ian’s leadership philosophy is simple yet powerful: “The whole is greater than the sum of the parts.” He emphasizes the importance of building a happy, empowered team that is passionate about what they do — a principle that underpins Umbrellar’s culture and success.
As Ian sees it, the future of Umbrellar — and New Zealand — lies in technology-enabled productivity gains. With a nimble, local team and a passion for cloud innovation, Umbrellar is uniquely positioned to help New Zealand businesses thrive in a rapidly evolving digital world.
