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Data#3 appoints Merry GM for Software Solutions business

AUSTRALIAN technology services and solutions provider Data#3 has chosen Brendan Merry as general manager for Software Solutions.

Reporting to Data#3 chief customer officer (CCO), John Tan, Mr Merry will be responsible for creating the strategy and operational direction for the company’s Software Solutions division.

“I’m immensely proud to be appointed to this position,” Mr Merry said. “Since I joined Data#3 almost 15 years ago, we’ve successfully navigated the changing landscape with our vendors to solve customer challenges. 

“I am honoured to lead our significant Software Solutions business through this next era as we continue to evolve our approach to meet our customers’ changing requirements.” 

Mr Merry has extensive experience in the IT industry combined with the business-based education of an International MBA and many certifications including as a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (AICD). Mr Merry has managed direct and indirect sales channels across Australia, the Pacific Islands, Europe, Middle East and Africa.

“I’m delighted to welcome Brendan to the Data#3 leadership team,” Mr Tan said . “Brendan brings significant knowledge of our Software Solutions business, along with a background in business to the role.”

Listed on the ASX in 1997, Data#3 reported revenues of $2.2 billion in the 2022 financial year and has more than 1,200 employees. Headquartered in Brisbane, it has facilities across 12 locations in Australia and Fiji.

Data#3 has been operating for more than 40 years and is focussed on ‘delivering the digital future’ by leveraging solutions such as the cloud, modern workplace, security, data-analytics and connectivity, combined with Data#3 services across consulting, project services and managed services.

www.data3.com.au

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Mota, Telfer join FSC board

THE Financial Services Council (FSC) has appointed Insignia Financial CEO, Renato Mota, and UBS Asset Management country head for Australia and New Zealand, Alison Telfer, as directors to the FSC board.

Mr Mota has more than 20 years experience in financial services and has been responsible for leading Insignia Financial’s transformation strategy, including the acquisition of MLC. He has developed a focus throughout his career on enabling financial wellbeing for Australians through service excellence and technology. 

Prior to Insignia Financial, Mr Mota worked for Rothschild and NAB in corporate finance roles with a focus on mergers and acquisitions.

Ms Telfer has more than 20 years of experience in Australian and global asset management. She has held a range of roles within the industry spanning through product development, strategy and client distribution to legal and government affairs.

Ms Telfer brings these skills in leading UBS Asset Management to partner with clients and industry to create better financial outcomes and positive impact beyond returns.

Prior to UBS Asset Management, Ms Telfer was BlackRock Asset Management’s chief operating officer for Australasia and was executive sponsor for BlackRock’s Philanthropic Committee and Women’s Initiative Australasia.

FSC chairman David Bryant said, “Renato and Alison bring to the board extensive knowledge and experience that further strengthens the FSC’s contribution to the national debate to the benefit of financial services consumers.

“Renato and Alison’s appointment reflects the senior industry leadership the FSC brings to help the government and regulators solve common public policy challenges. 

“Renato and Alison share the FSC’s commitment to a more competitive, efficient, and growing financial services sector that delivers high quality products for Australian consumers.

Mr Mota said, “I am pleased to take on the role as director of the FSC board as we work together to improve the long-term financial wellbeing for all Australians.”

Ms Telfer said, “I look forward to working with the FSC board to support representation of our members and to shape a world class financial services industry that serves all Australians well.”

www.fsc.org.au

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Vantari VR appoints Jay Kahlon, moves into US healthcare market

AUSTRALIAN medical virtual reality company, Vantari VR, has signalled its international expansion plans with the appointment of Jay Kahlon in the US as ‘head of product’.

Vantari VR co-founder and co-CEO, Nishanth Krishnananthan said he was “thrilled to have Jay on the team and I look forward to the impact his appointment will have not just on the business, but on the industry more broadly”.

Dr Nishanth said over the past decade, Mr Kahlon had been “masterminding” solutions to counter healthcare worker shortage, standardisation of healthcare and cost of healthcare training.

“Jay has strategically launched 45-plus products ranging from hardware, software, cloud and mixed reality, to the healthcare simulation market in the US that continues to empower educators and trainees across the globe,” Dr Nishanth said. 

The appointment comes on the back of Vantari VR having been found to reduce medical error by an astounding 40 percent, as part of a research program conducted in partnership with the University of Wollongong (UOW).

The research also found the training software had helped student clinicians to improve performance by 32 percent and adherence to safety and hygiene by 39 percent.

Looking ahead, Dr Nishanth said Vantari VR aimed to successfully expand business to the US markets to deliver procedural training to doctors, nurses and medical students, with a mission to eliminate medical error, through standardisation in the delivery of training across the board. Alongside the co-founders and so-CEOs – Dr Nishanth and Dr Vijay Paul – Mr Kahlon said he was looking forward to speaking with healthcare organisations and universities across the US in the coming months and beyond.

Shortly after graduating from the prestigious University of Washington, Mr Kahlon joined the team at Blue Phantom – an early-stage American start-up focusing on ultrasound simulation that was successfully acquired by CAE Healthcare in 2012. Throughout his time at Blue Phantom and CAE Healthcare, Mr Kahlon served in multiple roles ranging in product development, business development, operations and marketing, ultimately scaling Blue Phantom to becoming a world leader in ultrasound simulation and training.

In his new role as Vantari VR head of product, Mr Kahlon will be providing support to the team in areas ranging from product and platform vision and development, roadmapping, identifying and developing strategic and clinical partnerships and business development.

Of his appointment, Mr Kahlon said it was “an exciting opportunity to support Vantari VR” as the business expands into international markets “and continues to lead as early adopters in using virtual reality platforms to overcome barriers of the real world”.

“The vision Vantari has laid out utilising virtual reality to enable access to world-class clinical procedural training, regardless of educator availability, simulation space and self-directed learning has greatly resonated with how I envision our collaboration can disrupt the status quo of access to world-class healthcare training,” Mr Kahlon said.

Driven by his passion for bettering healthcare, Mr Kahlon envisioned technology as the bridge that would enable global equality in healthcare accessibility and affordability. He said he believed he had found the perfect match across international waters with Vantari VR.

“Speaking to the Vantari team, the clinical, technical and educational knowledge that the team encompasses was incredibly impressive,” Mr Kahlon said. “Vantari VR has done a brilliant job with their remarkable technology platform and has shown outstanding efforts in advancing healthcare procedural training across Australia within a very short amount of time.”

Dr Nishanth said, “Jay’s spectacular track record of integrating emerging technologies in the US market to enhance healthcare education speaks volumes to his immaculate capabilities in transcending the healthcare industry alongside Vantari VR.

“His personal mission to democratise access to healthcare training internationally with the transformative technology of virtual reality aligns with our goals for Vantari VR, and we’re excited about what the future holds for us with Jay’s expertise.”

Vantari VR is revolutionising the way doctors receive on-thejjob training through its unique ‘flight simulator’ style technology. Brought to life by a team of doctors inspired to provide better learning outcomes and reduce medical error, Vantari VR was launched in 2017 and is now operating in four hospitals across Australia.

www.vantarivr.com

 

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Eva Hanly to lift Squadron Energy to new heights as CEO

EVA HANLY has been appointed chief executive officer of Squadron Energy, a company of Tattarang, Andrew and Nicola Forrest’s private investment group.

Squadron Energy is constructing the Clarke Creek wind, solar and battery farm which is set to power more than 600,000 Queensland homes; the Port Kembla Energy Terminal, through Squadron Energy group company Australian Industrial Energy; and is proposing the Port Kembla Power Station which will be Australia’s largest dual fuel turbine running on 50 percent gas and 50 percent green hydrogen before transitioning to 100 percent green hydrogen. The group is also a foundation investor in Sun Cable and majority owner of renewable power company Windlab.

Ms Hanly has more than 20 years experience in the energy and infrastructure sector, following senior roles at WorleyParsons, Origin Energy and Transurban.  

Ms Hanly was previously with Transgrid, Australia’s largest energy network business, where she was a group executive, responsible for transitioning Transgrid into new businesses and services to support the energy transition.

She also led the functions for corporate strategy, commercial, innovation and technology, new energy ventures, and policy reform and economics.

Tattarang chairman Andrew Forrest AO said Ms Hanly’s experience as an operational leader in capital intensive industries across construction, transport and energy would help Squadron Energy achieve its mission to overcome Australia’s serious energy challenges.

“Australia has the potential to become a green energy superpower if we seize on the opportunities that are right before us,” Dr Forrest said.

“I am delighted that a person of Eva’s leadership capability and vision has chosen Squadron Energy to continue her great career and help lead the way in the acceleration of the decarbonisation of Australia’s economy.”

Squadron Energy has a significant portfolio of infrastructure assets in development that will provide substantial amounts of renewable power as well as support the energy system’s transition to renewable power sources.

Squadron Energy Chairman John Hartman welcomed Ms Hanly’s appointment.

“Squadron Energy has an important portfolio of projects for both the future and the present, with transitional sources of energy, and large-scale renewable sources of power,” Mr Hartman said.

Eva Hanly said she was humbled to lead an Australian-owned renewable energy company with such a bold mandate.

“Rapid decarbonisation can be achieved, and we need leaders like Andrew and Nicola Forrest who are willing to deploy capital to this critical challenge,” Ms Hanly said. “Their vision to see Australia become a green energy superpower is compelling and I am thrilled to play a role in the realisation of that vision.

“Squadron will focus on speed to market, energy affordability and energy security to grow a significant portfolio of renewable generation and the infrastructure needed to support a reliable energy transition. This is a once in a generation opportunity to partner with the Federal and State Governments to support them in ensuring we transition to renewable energy without any interruption to supply,” Ms Hanly said.

Squadron Energy targets investments in renewable power and energy-related infrastructure that supports the energy system’s transition to 100 percent renewable energy. It does not invest in coal, oil sands, or crude oil, or in any developments in sensitive marine environments.

Eva Hanly commences the role on July 4. 

www.squadronenergy.com

www.tattarang.com

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Rubrik appoints former CIA chief information security officer Michael Mestrovich

RUBRIK has named former CIA chief information security officer, Michael Mestrovich, to the company’s CISO role.

Mr Mestrovich will lead Rubrik’s internal data security efforts and provide top-level cyber security and cyber policy expertise to propel Rubrik’s mission to ‘secure the world’s data’.

Rubrik now brands itself as the Zero Trust Data Security Company and is finding world leaders in data security to help power that brand.

“Today (May 26) we added one of the world’s most prominent security experts to our leadership team,” Rubrik CEO and co-founder, Bipul Sinha said.

“We believe it’s essential to combine expertise from both the private and public sectors if businesses and governments want to stand a chance against cyber criminals. Michael’s understanding of the changing cyber-landscape and exceptional leadership experience will be paramount for our federal, state, and local customers, as well as private companies who are preparing for inevitable cyber attacks.” 

Mr Mestrovich joins Rubrik with more than 20 years of distinguished IT and security leadership, most recently serving as CISO for the CIA, leading the agency’s cyber defence operations, developing and implementing cyber security regulations and standards, and directing the evaluation and engineering of cyber technologies.

While at the CIA, Mr Mestrovich also served on a rotational detail as the Principal Deputy Chief Information Officer for the US Department of State, where he was responsible for managing the department’s $2.6 billion, 2,500 person global IT enterprise.

Before Mr Mestrovich’s career in the public sector, he was a systems engineer at Cisco Systems and served in the US Air Force.

“With increased vulnerabilities in existing infrastructure and legacy security solutions, organisations’ most critical asset – data – is more vulnerable than ever,” Mr Mestrovich said.

“I made the decision to return to the private sector at this critical juncture to work with the company that is pioneering the next frontier in cyber security: data security. I am thrilled to join the world-class team at Rubrik and look forward to working together to secure the world’s data.”

www.rubrik.com

Rubrik recently staged its FORWARD Conference, focussed on helping business leaders understand and prepare for cyber attacks. The conference’s keynote sessions and reports from IT and security leaders can be viewed here.

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Susan Forrester appointed Data#3 non executive director

MAJOR Australian IT services and solutions provider, Data#3 Limited (ASX:DTL) appointed Susan Forrester to its board of directors on March 30.

Ms Forrester has served as chair and non-executive director on multiple ASX-listed companies over the past 12 years, with broad experience in setting strategic direction as well as specific responsibility for corporate governance and compliance. With experience drawn from a career in corporate law and human resources, Ms Forrester’s strengths lie in strategy and governance within industries that are undergoing rapid change, according to Data#3 chairman Richard Anderson.  

“After an extensive search process as part of the company’s ongoing renewal program, we are delighted to bring someone with Susan’s knowledge and experience to the board,” Mr Anderson said. “As we build on our leading position in a buoyant and rapidly evolving IT market, Susan’s expertise will be most valuable and we welcome her to Data#3.”

A qualified lawyer, Ms Forrester has an EMBA from the Melbourne Business School, and is a fellow and councillor of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. She is also a Member (AM) in the General Division of the Order of Australia for significant service to business through governance and strategic roles and as an advocate for women.

Ms Forrester is currently the chair of Jumbo Interactive Limited (ASX:JIN) and a non-executive director of Plenti Ltd (ASX:PLT).

Ms Forrester said, “I am very excited to be joining Data#3, having followed and admired for many years this Queensland based national technology company. I look forward to contributing to the board at a time when the business is performing strongly and is focussed on strategic growth opportunities such as evolving its solutions and services to deliver the digital future for its customers.”

 

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Engineers Australia CEO wins prestigious Women in Industry award

ENGINEERS AUSTRALIA CEO Bronwyn Evans has received the 2022 Women in Industry Excellence in Engineering Award, presented at a ceremony in Melbourne on Thursday night, April 7.

Dr Evans was acknowledged as “an outstanding engineer and trailblazer in her field” – she was the first woman to graduate from electrical engineering at Wollongong University and her career has taken her from industry and academia to the boardroom.   

The first woman to occupy the role of CEO at Engineers Australia, Dr Evans was previously the first female CEO of Standards Australia, where she was instrumental in improving the standards development process and was elected to a global role on the ISO’s governing President’s Committee.

Dr Evans has held many non-executive positions, many on a volunteer basis, in areas including Industry4.0, STEM, industry-academia connections, construction and innovation.

Dr Evans is a chartered engineer and honorary fellow of Engineers Australia.

In 2021, she was awarded an honorary doctorate by Swinburne University and appointed as a Member (AM) of the Order of Australia for significant service to engineering, to standards and to medical technology.

In accepting the award, Dr Evans said there was still much work to do to increase the number of women in industry.

“Nights like tonight are important so we can celebrate our successes,” she said. “However, we still need to have difficult conversations about education, bias, assumptions and missed opportunities for women in industry.

“We know we will have succeeded when women are represented 50 percent top to bottom.  I urge all of us here tonight to use our profiles and our influence to be role models and to be champions for the amazing women who are joining our industries and professions.”

Category sponsor BAE Systems said the organisation was particularly proud to sponsor the Engineering Excellence category in 2021.

“We have female engineers to thank for many of the world’s greatest innovations, yet they make up only 12 percent of engineers employed in Australia,” the citation read. “Awards such as these are important to not only celebrate achievement but to also provide inspiration to others to break down barriers and excel in the engineering industry.”

The Women in Industry Awards recognise outstanding women from the industrials sector – those who work in mining, road transport, manufacturing, engineering, logistics, bulk handling, waste management, rail and infrastructure.

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