CIO Leadership Live: Australia

In this episode of CIO Leadership Live, Cathy O’Sullivan speaks with Mark Opitz, Group Head of ICT at Acciona Australia. Mark shares insights from his career journey, details Acciona’s digital transformation, and highlights impactful innovations like the Linksite tool and early adoption of AI and large language models. He also discusses his approach to change management, building vs. buying tech, and fostering innovation across a diverse business.

In this CIO Leadership Live interview, HOYTS Chief Technology Officer Adam Wrightson sits down with Cathy O’Sullivan to explore how digital transformation is reshaping the cinema experience - from behind-the-scenes infrastructure to the palm of your hand. With nearly three decades at HOYTS, Adam shares how his team leads everything from traditional IT and cybersecurity to cinema projection, sound systems, and custom software development. Learn how HOYTS:- Built a scalable digital architecture using Azure and Kubernetes- Took a mobile-first approach to engage 80%+ of customers- Optimised performance during peak traffic (rainy public holidays!)- Modernised networks with quad-redundant infrastructure- Integrated Shopify to transform digital retail and gift card sales

In today’s global tech landscape, local capability is becoming a strategic advantage for CIOs. In this CIO Leadership Live interview - in partnership with Brennan - Nick Sone, Chief Customer Officer at Brennan, explores why more Australian CIOs are turning to trusted, local partners who can deliver global capability - without the complexity and red tape of offshore integrators. As Brennan sets its sights on becoming Australia’s first truly global systems integrator, Nick shares how the company is backing that ambition with deep local expertise, sovereign service delivery, and customer intimacy that global players often struggle to match. He unpacks how CIOs across government and enterprise are balancing AI pressure, cybersecurity risk, and digital transformation priorities - and why having immediate access to local decision-makers and context-aware teams can be a game-changer in driving outcomes.

HBF Health’s Sanjeev Gupta on how the organisation’s transformation programme has delivered benefits to members and staff, what he would have done differently, and how AI can be a force for good.

Ramsay Health Care’s Chief Digital and Data Officer Dr Rachna Gandhi on enhancing people-centred care through technology, creating a single source of truth for the organisation’s data, and overcoming technical debt to accelerate benefits for patients and staff.

Datacom CISO Collin Penman talks about the growing gap between leadership and employees when it comes to cybersecurity, how cyber fatigue is leaving businesses in Australia and New Zealand more exposed, and why AI-powered threats are now keeping security leaders up at night. Speaking to CIO's Cathy O'Sullivan, Penman dug into Datacom's State of Cybersecurity Index findings, and the reality is sobering. The data shows: AI-driven attacks now top the threat list for security leaders Security teams are burning out - 61% in NZ and 58% in AU report cyber fatigue Leadership thinks staff are cyber-ready; most employees disagree 40% use AI tools like ChatGPT, yet only 1 in 4 have read their company's AI policies Penman cut through the hype, emphasizing: Generic annual security training doesn't work - role-specific, short modules do AI governance is lagging behind adoption, creating real vulnerabilities Security teams are still fighting the "Department of No" perception The most telling point? The disconnect between what leadership believes about security readiness versus what's happening on the ground with employees.

Downer Group CIO Nicola Dorling on utilising AI to improve safety on sites and for predictive asset maintenance, the importance of balancing legacy tech with innovation, and fostering a strong team culture through the ‘Downer Difference’.

Seymour Whyte Chief Information Officer Hani Arab on dealing with legacy tech, where the organisation is heading with its cloud journey, and the emerging trends he anticipates in technology for the construction sector.

Milad Kruze, Executive General Manager for IT at the Salvation Army, discusses the organisation's multi-faceted mission, modernising disaster management software, implementing AI for community connections, and the importance of empathy, relationship building, and diversity in IT.

New Aim Chief Digital Product Officer Carrie Hu on being named Next CIO winner as part of CIO50 Australia, how she and her team are developing new platforms to support e-commerce, the key things needed to get buy-in for new initiatives, and how she’s generating interest in STEM careers through Inspiring Girls Australia.

IDC's Chief Analyst for Australia and New Zealand Linus Lai reflects on the year in technology, the ongoing challenges for CIOs in the region, and IDC’s predictions on digital technology spending for 2025.

WaterNSW CIO Leeanne Chau on how data is fundamental for operational modelling and leveraging innovation opportunities, why digital transformation is not just about technology but also about enabling people and processes to thrive in a constantly evolving environment, and the importance of partnerships, leadership, and diversity.

MinterEllison Chief Digital Officer Gary Adler on the firm’s hyperautomation strategy and how its benefitting internal and external stakeholders, driving digital fluency for the firm’s staff through a digital academy and dedicated GenAI time, and how to stay innovative in a changing world.

Ventia Chief Information Officer Melanie Evans on winning a CIO50 Team of the Year award, combating burnout through digital wellbeing initiatives, exploring how AI can help the organisation’s central focus on safety, and maintaining a balance between being compassionate and making tough decisions

CIO of the Year at the 2024 CIO50 Awards Kurt Brissett, Transport for NSW's Chief Innovation & Technology Officer, on delivering world-firsts in technology for transport users, how high staff engagement is translating into customer satisfaction, and why he is so passionate about creating careers in technology for veterans.

Fremantle Ports CIO Dan Kerr on how his team helps support the facilitation of trade in Western Australia through operational technology and data and insights,  the huge program of work rolled out to lift the organisation's IT maturity, and why a focus on engagement is crucial for team development.

MUFG Retirement Solutions Technology Director Devan Naidoo on reshaping the organisation’s technology operating model globally, what growing up in apartheid South Africa taught him about work, how the company is leveraging AI, and the importance of having a diverse team at all levels.

Eastern Health Chief Information Officer Suma Shivalingaiah discusses starting her CIO role on the day of a ransomware attack and how cyber is a never-ending challenge, creating digital champions to improve tech adoption, and the need for more interoperability in healthcare systems.

Rashays Chief Information and Technology Officer Nazih Battal on improving customer experience and engagement through technology, the challenges for the hospitality sector in uncertain economic times, and a career highlight working on the FIFA World Cup in Qatar.

Uniting’s Chief Digital Information Officer Andrew Dome on using augmented reality to provide regional telehealth services, the ways technology is lessening the admin burden of frontline staff, and how CIOs in the aged care sector come together to collaborate and deliver the best outcomes for the humans at the centre of their services.