Optus names Coles exec as new CIO
update A senior Coles executive has been selected to replace Soo Kee Ng as Optus’s chief information officer.
Lawrie Turner (pic), general manager for Retail Systems at the Coles Group, will assume the CIO position on August 6.
In an e-mail distributed to employees yesterday, and seen by ZDNet Australia, Optus chief executive Paul O’Sullivan said: “Lawrie has over 15 years experience in senior IT management and has worked for major Australian and US companies across the retail (David Jones), airline (Qantas) and travel industries.”
O’Sullivan expressed confidence Turner’s leadership will ensure the IT team is focused on helping Optus deliver on its vision to “lead Australia in outstanding customer experience by 2010″.
“Lawrie has a strong track record of leading change in a variety of environments and has extensive experience with real-time, mission critical systems,” he added.
Last month, ZDNet Australia reported on the departure of Ng from SingTel-owned Optus, after a three-year stint in the role.
Ng heads home to Singapore where he will lead SingTel’s local IT operations. O’Sullivan, in his e-mail, thanked Ng for his contribution to the team, saying “we wish Soo Kee well in his new role as CIO for our Singapore business”.