The Australian Information Industry Association (AIIA) today announced the departure of Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Sheryle Moon, who is leaving AIIA (on Friday 11 April) to take up a senior appointment in the recruitment industry as Director, Australia and New Zealand, for the Ross and Julia Ross brands.

Current board member Ian Birks has been appointed as Interim CEO.

‘Sheryle is widely recognised as a leading figure in the industry, and in the time that she has been our CEO she has definitely left her mark. We wish her all the best in the next stage of her career,’ said John Grant, Chairman of the AIIA Board of Directors.

Ms Moon said that her work with AIIA had been, both personally and professionally, extremely rewarding. ‘AIIA plays an essential role in the ICT community, and I have particularly enjoyed championing the ICT industry’s public image and the role of women in the ICT workforce,’ said Ms Moon.

‘One of the things I have learned at AIIA is the great value of working with Australian companies to see them grow in both national and international markets – and in fact I am leaving to pursue exactly this opportunity with Julia Ross,’ Ms Moon concluded.

Ian Birks will formally commence as Interim CEO on Wednesday 16 April 2008 and will be based in Sydney.

'Ian comes on board at a very exciting time. We are in the process of refreshing our strategy around member value and leading a thriving industry. With his background as a CEO and his experience and contribution at the AIIA Board level he is ideally placed to take the organisation to the next level,’ said Mr Grant.

Earlier this year Mr Birks stepped down as the Managing Director of ASX-listed IT research and advisory firm Ideas International after five years at the helm and 15 prior years in senior roles building the company up from its foundation. He remains a non-executive director of Ideas International.

Prior to Ideas International, Mr Birks worked in a number of senior roles for Prime Computer of Australia. He holds a BSc Tech (Hons) from the University of Manchester (UK) and is a member of Australian Institute of Company Directors.

‘I am invigorated by the opportunity to work full-time as the leader of the country’s peak ICT industry association,’ said Mr Birks.

‘I am committed to the board’s agenda to provide exceptional value for our members by shaping the image of our industry in the eyes of Australian business, government and the community, and by providing industry leadership and influence in our critical focus areas of industry development, infrastructure, workforce, procurement and the environment.’

‘I will be unashamedly vocal about the contribution that ICT is making to our economic and social wellbeing and the potential it has to underpin future opportunities for Australians and the Australian economy,’ Mr Birks concluded.

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For more information, contact:

Sheryle Moon
Chief Executive Officer
Australian Information Industry Association
Mobile: 0419 708 675
s.moon@aiia.com.au