New professional body to represent IT execs

A new professional body, the CIO Institute of Australia, has launched to promote the professional development, training and certification, business alignment and executive development of senior IT executives.

The body launches its Victoria chapter today, with Sydney to follow on 30 November.

Professor Michael Vitale, formerly dean of the Australian Graduate School of Management has accepted nomination to the Institute's Board of Governors, which will oversee the integrity and accountability of the CIO Institute’s ongoing operations.

Members of the inaugural working committees include Jurek Kubiena, the former CIO of NAB retail financial services in Australia, Greg Embleton, former CIO of Sensis, John Lovell, current CIO of the Parliament of Victoria, Frank O’Connor, CIO Group Executive Corporate Services of Australian Unity and Jeff Smith, Telstra’s former CIO.

CIO Institute executive director, Danny Davis, said the new professional organisation would provide IT executives the tools, environment and learning experiences needed to achieve effective operational control and extend executive management skills.

“It is imperative that today’s CIO understands the tightening connection between enterprise and technology priorities. CIOs need to take on an enabling role and work ‘in’ the business by concentrating on executing and improving the business's current capabilities,” he said in a statement.