Westpac appoints new CIO

His LinkedIn profile states he has held a series of IT executive roles at Barclays Bank, where his most recent post was co-chief operating officer, IT production, head of GRB Technology Centre in Singapore. He was also CIO of Bank of New Zealand from 2002 to 2006.

He replaces Westpac CIO Ross Stephenson who has described himself as “semi-retired” and on a “gap year”.

In another development, Michael Harte, CIO of the Commonwealth Bank, has been named as ambassador of the Australian Computer Society (ACS) for the remainder of 2012.

Harte will work with the ACS to promote career pathways and improve ICT standards of professionalism. A key focus is to encourage more youth to consider information and communications technology as a “rich, rewarding and creative career”, says the ACS.

The Kiwi expat was 2011 CIO of the Year at the national iAwards, and has been recognised across the industry and government for driving excellence in ICT, customer service and corporate responsibility.

“As industry professionals, it is important for us all to actively encourage more young people to see IT as an exciting career,” says Harte in a press statement. “They have the opportunity to work in almost any industry, from entertainment to social media; and anywhere in the world that their talent and skills can take them.”

ACS CEO Alan Patterson says ACS ambassadors are ICT professionals who have reached the top of their profession. “Our ambassadors challenge stereotypes and show by example the immense creative possibilities of ICT in our lives.”