Livingstone, the leading Software Asset Management managed service provider is pleased to announce the official opening of their new regional headquarters based in Sydney, Australia. This move is designed to support the growing demands from major corporations in Asia Pac, for a complete managed service capability to support the increasingly complex needs of a Software Asset Management function. Headed by Stuart Plane, the new office has been created to provide specialist customer support services for local organisations and a sales and marketing function.

Stuart joins from Nasdaq listed Markit, one of the world's leading financial technology and services providers. Following their acquisition of the highly successful Cadis Software business in 2012, where he was a co-founder and head of sales and marketing, he then went on to lead the Markit Asia Pac software division. Stuart brings to the Livingstone management team, a unique insight into the specialist and diverse needs of firms in this region.

Stuart said, "The opportunities in this region are immense, and I have spoken to a number of customers about what they need from a managed service provider, and where they see gaps in the market. The appetite for the complete Livingstone SAM managed service offering is really encouraging, and we already are in discussions with a number of firms who are looking for the specialist assistance only we can provide, and which goes far beyond the standard tools reseller services offered by other providers in this area. Livingstone is the only truly global provider based in Asia Pac, and I strongly believe we have a unique proposition which sets us apart from the competition. I am delighted to have joined the firm at this exciting time, and am looking forward to working with the team to further expand the Livingstone business here in Australia and across Asia Pac."

Daniel Simpson, CEO of Livingstone, commented, "All firms across the globe are under severe pressure to find new ways to drive down costs and improve overall risk and operational efficiencies across the board. Over the last few years the significance of software asset management has been fast emerging and today is recognized as a business critical function. And, as more and more global corporations turn to Livingstone for help, we need to ensure that we have the right blend of resources and skills in place to support their exact requirements. The opening of the new regional headquarters in Australia, with an experienced leader like Stuart at the helm, was the logical next step, and is a further demonstration of our relentless commitment to provide the industry's most effective SAM managed service capability to all our customers, wherever they are located."

Simpson concluded, "A business is only as good as its people. And to create a great business you need great people. My goal has always been to attract the best and I am personally delighted that Stuart has agreed to join us to lead our efforts in Asia Pac. I am also very confident that Stuart, together with Ryan Browning who is already heading up our North American operation, that we now have the most experienced and effective leadership team in the business who will help me to take the company to the next level."