Agenda

Jim founded ADAPT with a vision to help Australia thrive commercially, now and for the future.  To enable that, Jim leads ADAPT’s mission to connect, inform and equip our local business and tech leaders.

Leading the development of ADAPTs agenda’s and content strategy whilst also advising executive leadership teams from global technology service providers, Jim is uniquely experienced to be the voice of the end-user, the customer and the vendor.

Bringing his deep knowledge of the local market, Jim regularly presents “Know your Customer” webinars and guides the world’s largest vendors with their G-T-M and content strategies.

Through entrepreneurial product development and a servant leader mentality with his team and clients, ADAPT grows annually with clearly differentiated value for all stakeholders.

Chris Crozier was appointed Chief Information Officer (CIO) on 1 August 2023, leading the Defence Digital Group (DDG).

Prior to joining Defence, Chris Crozier was the Group CIO for Orica International, the world’s largest manufacturer and supplier of explosives for mining and civil construction. As the Group CIO, Chris Crozier was accountable for global digital technology strategies and operations across a footprint of the organisation spanning 120 countries, covering business (IT), customer (internet of things), and manufacturing (operational technology) systems, including the governance of Orica’s digital ecosystems, architecture, data and cyber posture.

Prior to this, Chris Crozier held executive roles within Orica as Vice President of Australia-Pacific region, Chief Digital Officer and Global Vice President Supply Chain, and BHP as Global CIO and Global Chief Procurement Officer.

As a 35 year veteran of the mining and resources sector, having commenced his professional life with Rio Tinto as a Research Engineer, Chris Crozier has experienced the highs and lows of the commodity cycle. He has worked in Asia for more than 25 years, residing in Singapore for 18 years.

I have over 24 years’ experience across the Australian Federal Government sector, having fulfilled a number of senior leadership roles in the Australian Bureau of Statistics, ComSuper, Department of Immigration and Border Protection, the Department of Education and Training, Department of Education, Skills and Employment, and the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry.

Charles McHardie leads the largest technology group in the Australian government. Charles oversees the technical and digital infrastructure that delivers government services and support to millions of Australians.

In his role as CIDO Charles is responsible for driving digital and technology transformation within Services Australia and delivering whole-of-government transformation programs. He oversees significant investment in programs for Centrelink, Medicare, Child Support and myGov, and has led the delivery of major transformation programs such as Enhanced myGov. Charles led the delivery of technology and business solutions that positioned the Australian government to be able to respond rapidly to the global pandemic.

Nicholas (Nick) Flood was appointed General Manager for Australia & New Zealand in January 2024. In this capacity, Nick is one of twenty-two (22) global market leaders, where he leads the IBM Corporation and its talented employees – in defining strategies for clients to solve pressing business and societal issues – and seize opportunities – in a period of unprecedented technological change.  

This appointment builds upon a highly successful period as Vice President IBM Technology & Managing Director IBM Australia, where from January 2022 to December 2023, Nick revitalised IBM’s business in Australia.  

Prior to this, as Director and General Manager for Federal Government, he led IBM’s engagement with the Australian Federal Government supporting them toward their aspiration to be a top three (3) digital government globally by 2025.
 
Since joining IBM as a graduate, Nicholas has held a range of strategic client leadership roles across Federal Government and Financial Services. During this time, he played a key role in establishing IBM’s Whole of Government Agreement, in particular leading establishment of the innovation agenda underpinning this agreement.
 
Outside of IBM, Nicholas is an active member on a range of industry associations and boards, including: (i) The Australian Information Industry Association’s ACT and Federal Council and; (ii) The University of Sydney’s Board of Advice. In this capacity, Nicholas helps shape the role technology can play and government’s response to address challenges and enable opportunities across the digital economy.
 
Nicholas holds an MBA from the University of Sydney completed as recipient of the Business School Business Leader Post-Graduate Scholarship and received the Gold Lion Award at graduation.
 
He also holds an Undergraduate degree, a Master of Commerce and a Master of Business Research with Honours completed as recipient of an Australian Postgraduate Award scholarship. 

Gabby’s primary role is managing ADAPT’s overall strategy for Data Analytics. He has extensive experience in using data to identify trends in technology that help shape Australian organisations. Utilising modern Data Science techniques, he provides ADAPT and their customers with confidence in the accuracy and validity of the information used for ADAPT’s Research, Advisory, and Events.​

With a passion for creating stories with data, Gabby is consistently rated as one of the top speakers at ADAPT Events. In round table discussions, he specialises in using statistics to initiate thought-provoking discussions. Gabby is effective in translating information into insights, enabling ADAPT’s customers to become more data-driven.​

Gabby’s primary areas of expertise are: ​

• Advanced AI and ML practices, including AI ethics.​
• Building models to benchmark and predict IT performance.​
• End-user behaviour and human-centred design.​
• Cross-functional team design and value, such as DevSecOps.​

David is a digital strategist and design leader known for delivering innovative, human-centred digital solutions across public and private sectors. With experience at DXC Technology, BCG, and various start-ups, he blends creativity with strategic thinking to drive transformation that is technically feasible, commercially viable, and deeply user-focused.

Lucy leads the Strategy, Planning and Performance Division which focuses on providing whole-of-government strategic leadership to the development and implementation of digital policies, the Australian Government Architecture, and the Data and Digital Government Strategy.

Lucy oversees the management of the government’s digital investment pipeline to ensure an integrated and coordinated approach to government’s investment in digital and ICT. A key priority for Lucy is driving the achievement of the Australian Government’s vision to implement world class digital capabilities to deliver outstanding outcomes for all.

Lucy also manages the Digital Transformation Agency’s development of policies, governance models, and assurance frameworks for the implementation and use of Generative Artificial Intelligence technologies across the Australian Public Service.

Prior to joining the Digital Transformation Agency, Lucy held senior executive roles at the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet and the Australian Public Service Commission where she led several transformation programs. Lucy has experience across a range of sectors including Australian federal and state governments, the private sector and the UK civil service.

As Deputy CEO and Chief Customer Officer at Services Australia, I lead a group responsible for optimising, improving and transforming critical services to millions of Australians every day. I have over ten years of senior executive experience in driving technology-enabled business transformation, including digital identity, and strategy in the public sector.

My mission is to apply design, innovation, customer experience, and digital capabilities to transform government services and create positive outcomes for our customers. I have a strong background in agile leadership, digital delivery, and strategy. I am passionate about fostering a culture of collaboration, empowerment, and excellence within Services Australia and across government.