Professional biography:
Charles is the CEO and Principal for Interface Solutions, a Sydney-based provider of corporate advisory services to the ICT industry including research commercialisation, strategy, private equity and M&A. These services are provided direct, and also through partner organisations Mainsheet Corporate, GHC and Software Equity Group.
Charles is a longstanding AIIA NSW committee member and a Non-Executive Director of the NSW Enterprise Workshop, a volunteer group delivering business development programs to entrepreneurs. Other memberships include co-chair of the Pearcey Foundation in NSW, the Australian Institute of Company Directors, Australian Institute of Management, and Australian Business Foundation. He is a gold medallion lifesaver & patrol captain for Avalon Beach Surf Club and board member, Mater Maria College Warriewood.
Charles' is very familiar with the needs and expectations of Australian ICT companies - through his current role at ITFC, and his previous role as GM for ATP Innovations, Australia's largest technology business incubator. He also understands the needs of large Australian ICT companies, having served as a GM for UCMS, and the needs of ICT multinationals, having held senior positions in Australia with Hitachi Data Systems, SAP Software, Hewlett-Packard and Unisys.
Reasons for nominating and qualities brought to the board:
I have significant experience of board work and, fully supportive of recent structural changes within the AIIA, will work to ensure the AIIA genuinely focuses on member needs, taking a loud and intelligent stance on behalf of the local industry.
Over the last few years the AIIA has “taken its eye off the ball” and failed to meet the needs of the Australian ICT industry. We have had management changes, an aborted merger with AEEMA, weak industry advocacy and at times, nominal support for the AIIA branch structure.
The focus of the AIIA needs to be on “member benefits” and as a board member I will work to drive this focus.
70% of Australian productivity and innovation is derived from ICT. The AIIA must lobby effectively to ensure this recognised, and that Australian governments maintain a favourable business climate for ICT. This includes an effective replacement for Commercial Ready, an improved R&D tax offset regime, and a percentage of government procurement reserved for SME ICT companies.
I can make a difference. I have a sound knowledge of the AIIA having served as a NSW committee member for 6 years, developing business opportunities for AIIA members as chair of the NSW Local Industry, CollabIT and Innovation special interest groups.
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