CIO John Pittard to retire from News Corp Australia
Chief information officer for News Corp Australia John Pittard is to retire from November 1.
The announcement:
News Corp Australia today announced that its chief information officer John Pittard is retiring from the company after over ten years of service. Mr Pittard gave the company notice of his intention to retire in February this year, to take effect following the delivery of a number of major product and technology projects he has been driving.
News Corp Australia’s chief executive Julian Clarke said, “John has provided outstanding service to News Corp Australia over the last decade. He has transformed our technology group, making it integral to our strategic thinking and digital product development as well as critical in delivering modern, efficient business systems and infrastructure.
“Most recently John has overseen the delivery of major projects including the new Eidos Methode content publishing system – which is critical to the delivery of our great journalism to customers across print and digital – as well as a large range of new digital products.
“We will miss his vision, great technical knowledge, calm professionalism and his focus on efficient delivery. I thank John for all his exemplary work and on behalf of everyone in the company wish him all the best in the next phase of his life.” Mr Clarke added.
Mr Pittard said, “I leave the company feeling a great sense of achievement and pride in what I have done – along with a great team and my executive colleagues. I am proud of overseeing the roll-out of Eidos Methode. It is the biggest such project anywhere in the world and involves connecting over 120 publications and content across Australia.
“I am also proud to have overseen the roll-out of a range of new digital products that are so important to the future of the company including new mobile applications, new websites and other digital products for our mastheads. News Corp Australia now has a great portfolio of digital products supporting its businesses across news, sport, lifestyle and classifieds.
“I have also been fortunate to serve on the Board of REA Group. I am grateful to News Corp Australia for giving me the opportunity to serve on the Board of such an amazing company; one which has driven double digital revenue growth over most of its life and continues to lead its competitors by a huge margin.’ Mr Pittard added.
Mr Pittard will retire from the company on 1 November.
News Corp Australia has announced the interim appointment of Tom Quinn to the role of chief technology officer, effective 16 September. News Corp Australia has engaged leading global executive search firm Spencer Stuart to lead an internal and external search to find a permanent appointment for the role.
Source: News Corp Australia media release
