- Hiking
- Running
- Playing Sports
- Food Tourism
- Adventure Travel
- Golf
Darren Wathen
Pyrmont
Summary
Visionary and commercially astute executive with over 20 years of senior leadership experience spanning technology, enterprise sales, management consulting, and governance. Renowned for driving strategic growth, digital transformation, and operational excellence in SaaS, property technology, and cloud services. A trusted advisor and board leader with a track record of building scalable, high-performing organisations and delivering multi-million-dollar outcomes for clients and stakeholders. Holds an MBA in Entrepreneurship, alongside broad technical and governance credentials.
Overview
24
24
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Technical, Sales, and Engineering Roles
Alcatel, Telstra, Inglis
- Led key infrastructure and technology product launches, delivering operational excellence.
Founder & CEO
hovr
01.2021 - Current
- Established a pioneering Proptech platform for desktop property valuations, delivering successful market entry and adoption.
- Managed stakeholder relations, investor communications, software development, and commercial operations.
- Built national partnerships and delivered digital transformation for institutional clients.
Sales Manager, Northern Region
Call Design
01.2017 - Current
- Led enterprise sales for workforce management and cloud-based solutions across financial and commercial sectors.
- Successfully launched new SaaS offerings, led virtual teams, and delivered custom solutions for tier-one clients.
Board Director & Captain
The Lakes Golf Club
01.2014 - 01.2020
- Oversaw governance, chaired major sub-committees, and managed operational transformation for Australia's leading golf club.
Associate Director, Financial Services
SingTel Optus
01.2010 - 01.2017
- Orchestrated enterprise sales, managed services, and client consulting for banking and insurance partners.
- Trusted partner in large-scale cloud migration and telecom transformation projects.
Solution Delivery Manager
Primary Health Care (Healius)
01.2008 - 01.2010
- Delivered national digital infrastructure programs, aligned technology investment with board strategy.
Director & Management Consultant
Various
01.2002 - 01.2008
- Executed major consulting projects for banks, telecoms, and government agencies on technology strategy, transformation, and compliance.
Education
Master of Business Administration - Entrepreneurship
Australian Institute of Business
01.2021
Advanced Diploma - Electronic Engineering
North Sydney Technical College
North Sydney, NSW, Australia01.1989
Skills
- Executive Leadership
- Enterprise Sales & Growth
- Technology Strategy & Innovation
- SaaS, Cloud & Digital Platforms
- PL & Financial Management
- Advisory & Consulting
- Stakeholder Engagement
- Board Governance
Affiliations
Australian Property Institute
SMSF Association
Governance Institute of Australia
Certification
- Board Governance, Clubs NSW
- PMBOK Project Management
- Member: Governance Institute of Australia, Australian Property Institute, Proptech Association Australia, SMSF Association
Interests
Timeline
Founder & CEO
hovr
01.2021 - Current
Sales Manager, Northern Region
Call Design
01.2017 - Current
Board Director & Captain
The Lakes Golf Club
01.2014 - 01.2020
Associate Director, Financial Services
SingTel Optus
01.2010 - 01.2017
Solution Delivery Manager
Primary Health Care (Healius)
01.2008 - 01.2010
Director & Management Consultant
Various
01.2002 - 01.2008
Technical, Sales, and Engineering Roles
Alcatel, Telstra, Inglis
Advanced Diploma - Electronic Engineering
North Sydney Technical College
Master of Business Administration - Entrepreneurship
Australian Institute of Business