Former Vodafone NZ head Grahame Maher dies aged 51
Former Vodafone New Zealand head Grahame Maher has died at the age of 51.
Mr Maher (above) headed Vodafone New Zealand in the 1990s and early 2000s, after joining Vodafone in Australia in 1996.
He was the chief executive of Vodafone Qatar since 2008.
The company said in a statement: "Grahame himself made a difference to the lives of everyone he touched.
"He was a great CEO, coach, mentor, and friend. We will all sorely miss his inspiration and vision, his passion and energy, and his love for all the people he worked with."
He is survived by his wife Jenny Maher, and his daughters Jessica and Kate, both in their twenties.
Chief financial officer and member of the board of directors John Tombleson will step in as acting chief executive officer of Vodafone Qatar.
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Comments and questions29
So sad, he was too young! I worked with him at VFNZ when he turned business around to grow to achieve 50%+ of market share. He was such an inspirational passionate leader. - Infact the best I have ever worked with. Is such a great loss to all those who knew him. Thoughts go out to his family at this sad time.
RIP
does anyone know what he died of?? 51 is WAY to young!
Stroke
What a sad loss of a truly inspirational man. Everyone who worked at Voda NZ during Grahame's time has very fond memories of an electric working environment where we believed anything was possible - matched by equally outrageous parties led by Grahame's cross dressing genius and that face stretching laugh.
But most of all he was down to earth and humble - coming into the call centre during major problems and offering to help-out, remembering everyone's name and asking you how things were going.
An Aussie Larrikin in the best sense of the tradition who was also adopted in NZ. It is very sad to think he won't be visiting these shores again.
What terribly sad news. He was a great guy.
I dont knew him personally, just seeing him in newspapers and was impressed by the way he leads that company.
I am deeply sad for his mother and family.
He died of a stroke at about the same age his father also died of a stroke. He lived life like he knew that moment could be his last a man of phenomenal heart. Hence it was interesting that is was his heart that let go. He was not born into a world of success. From a simple back ground he was an inspirational leader who will be remember as one of the greatest leaders.
Grahame Maher: RIP
"I am a simple baker who became a leader because I believe in people". He left a piece of his heart in everyone of us.
I worked under Grahame while he was CEO of Vodafone NZ...What a fantastic man and will be sadly missed.
He was an inspirational yet humble leader. Great respect.
Paying tribute to Maher, Sheikh Abdulrahman said, "Truly great organisations, Grahame always said, care about something more important than making money.
RIP - In thsi case, its true that the good die young !
RIP Grahame. From another ex-Voda NZ employee, I'd like to reiterate other comments here and in other publications. Grahame was an inspirational and engaging leader who was key in creating the best corporate culture I have ever worked in. He's made a mark on a great many people. Thoughts go out to Grahame's family, friends and colleagues.
Grahame will be sorely missed. He inspired us to challenge the status quo, step up to the mark and go for it. What an honour to have worked for such a person, we are the poorer for losing you.
Grahame will be sorely missed. He inspired us to challenge the status quo, step up to the mark and go for it. What an honour to have worked for such a person, we are the poorer for losing you.
So, it was a health issue?
Grahame was a truly amazing person. He was the most inspirational and passionate leader I have had the pleasure of working with. He absolutely believed that people were a companies most valuable asset and treated everyone, regardless of position, with equal value. He drove a culture that just cant be manufactured. It came from his heart and that was clear to everyone. His ready sense of fun was absolutely infectious and his passing is a great loss for everyone who has been lucky enough to know him. RIP Grahame
I had the opportunity to work for him during his tenure at Vodafone Australia. Possibly the most humble and down to earth CEO I have worked with.
RIP Grahame
Thank you Grahame for the difference you made to so many people. Our deepest thoughts go out to you Jenny, and the girls.
Jenny, Jess and Kate --
My thoughts are with you ! It's hard to believe that "the life of the party" is no more! Grahame certainly crammed a lot of living into his allotted 51 years-- and his devotion and loyalty to his career AND to his family was truly admirable! He will be sorely missed! Enjoy the memories! He made sure that you (and everyone else that he met!!) had good ones!
RIP Grahame!
Jenny, Jess and Kate --
My thoughts are with you ! It's hard to believe that "the life of the party" is no more! Grahame certainly crammed a lot of living into his allotted 51 years-- and his devotion and loyalty to his career AND to his family was truly admirable! He will be sorely missed! Enjoy the memories! He made sure that you (and everyone else that he met!!) had good ones!
RIP Grahame!
An inspirational human being who broke the mould in our leadership genre. He lived before his time and now has done the same in his tragic death. I am a better person having known Graeme as are all my clients......He was an enabler....seeing the best in everyone and making sure we all had the opportunity to manifest that. What a tragic loss.....my heart is with your family Graeme.....
I worked with Grahame many years ago when I was with Vodafone in Australia and he was a truly remarkable man. He was full of energy and promise, one who left trails for others to follow; and an absolute powerhouse of a leader who always thought outside the box! You left an impression at every turn and will be sorely missed Grahame. My condolences to your family. Rest in peace mate.
This is a sad day for everyone who knew Grahame. Rest In Peace mate, thanks for the memories at Voda Au.
:(
I worked for Grahame in Sweden and we will truly miss you forever. You will always be out there somewhere to keep inspire us
I blame Q-tel.
Postings on Grahame's facebook page also mirror these left on this page. Grahame changed the lives of thousands, he believed in, inspired, motivated and empowered people who were fortunate enough to work with or know him.
I feel blessed to have worked with him in Australia supporting his communication to 'the people'. What an amazing time in my life and no other CEO has ever come close to his generous, and positive leadership style that harnessed the power of people.
Don't be sad, be happy, like Grahame would want us to be, it's up to all of us to continue spreading the 'love' and positive energy that flowed through his veins. Thank you Grahame for teaching us how to "be 'the best we can be".
I was lucky enough to spend lot of time with Grahame in the YPO Czechoslovak Chapter. We all learned from him what you cannot learn from books what you can learn only from working and having fun with somebody so unique Grahame was. RIP from Prague, mate.
Grahame, there will never be such a culture builder as you, staff would not bow or scrape to you...they were too busy working thier butts off, proud and inspired by you to be part of something that could be bigger and better than themselves (in fact bigger and better pretty much describes all your 'projects'!)...and the way you got everyone on board... a born leader- what an exciting time it was to be part of Vodafone NZ! To your wife and girls, I wish you a short trip through the grief to be able to think of him with the joie de vivre so characterstic of him.
I worked for Graham Maher at Vodafone Australia. At a time when the company needed a new culture and new leadership, Graham delivered both. He became one of my most important role models. I am shocked and very sad !! Rest in Peace Graham.
Uli