The head of the Australian Information Industry Association Simon Bush will step down next month, leaving the peak representative body for another role in the IT industry.
The AIIA on Thursday announced the departure of Mr Bush, who has been its chief executive for three years, and its search for a new leader.
Mr Bush joined the 46-year old peak representative body and advocacy group in 2019 as head of policy and advocacy, and was named CEO in 2022.
He will leave the organisation at the end of July for “another senior role in the IT industry”, the AIIA said.
Mr Bush pushed federal and state governments to develop bolder tech policy and leverage their procurement muscle. Artificial intelligence and digital infrastructure emerged as a key issue, with Mr Bush at times a vocal critic of the Albanese government’s lack of dedicated funding.
AIIA chair Angela Fox said Mr Bush is leaving the industry group as “a stronger, more respected and resilient organisation”.
“The AIIA has a well-earned reputation delivering for its members from its strong policy advocacy, events and iAwards program and international delegations with Simon a key component in driving these outcomes that has led to membership growth,” Ms Fox said.
Mr Bush said it has been an honour and a pleasure to represent the local sector to government and industry.
“I have thoroughly enjoyed working with the wide variety of members across Australia and indeed globally to ensure that the voice of the innovative tech industry is heard and represented in the highest offices,” Mr Bush said.
“This is particularly the case in a time of disruption and change shaping our economy including areas like AI and cyber policy and regulation and the AIIA’s advocacy has both been important and influential.”
The AIIA said it will conduct a competitive selection process for its new CEO.
Do you know more? Contact James Riley via Email.