# Darrin Grafton

> Darrin Grafton is the Auckland-based co-founder, CEO and executive director of Serko, the NZX- and ASX-listed corporate travel technology company. His partnership with Bob Shaw spans the earlier Interactive Technologies business, founded in 1994, and Serko, founded in 2007. His work now includes Zeno, Booking.com for Business, GetThere and Serko.ai.

- **Role:** Co-founder, Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director at Serko
- **Organizations:** Serko, Interactive Technologies Limited, Gullivers Travel Group, Institute of IT Professionals NZ, Institute of Directors in New Zealand
- **From:** Waimauku, New Zealand
- **Nationality:** New Zealander
- **Education:** Carrington Polytechnic (now Unitec Institute of Technology)
- **Known for:** INFINZ Leadership Award, 2021., BTN 25 Most Influential recognition in 2014 and 2024., Recipient of the NZX Hi-Tech Entrepreneur Award.

## Career timeline

- **1994** — Co-founded Interactive Technologies Limited with Bob Shaw.
- **2000** — ITL released an early version of Serko Online for corporate travel booking.
- **2007** — Co-founded Serko; has served as CEO and executive director since its founding.
- **2014** — Led Serko during its NZX listing; named among BTN’s 25 influential business travel executives.
- **2018** — Serko added an ASX listing.
- **2019** — Booking Holdings invested in Serko as the partnership expanded.
- **2021** — Received the INFINZ Leadership Award.
- **2024** — Named to BTN’s 25 Most Influential list again; Serko announced its GetThere acquisition and Sabre partnership.
- **2025** — Serko completed its GetThere acquisition in January.
- **2026** — Serko.ai officially launched in the United States on October 13.

## Achievements

- INFINZ Leadership Award, 2021.
- BTN 25 Most Influential recognition in 2014 and 2024.
- Recipient of the NZX Hi-Tech Entrepreneur Award.
- Co-founded Serko and led it through NZX and ASX listings.

## Latest updates

- **2026-10** — Serko officially launched Serko.ai in the US on October 13.
- **2026-08** — Discussed company culture, responsible data use and AI-led change in an August 21 WiT interview.
- **2026-06** — Serko published the story of its new Serko House headquarters in a former wool store.
- **2026-05** — The company he leads reported FY26 total income of NZ$120.9m, up 34%, and a net loss after tax of NZ$17.7m.

## Links

- Website: https://www.serko.com/
- LinkedIn: https://nz.linkedin.com/in/darrin-grafton-0773612

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/darrin-grafton
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-10-21