New BoQ IT chief looks forward to agile company

Bank of Queensland (BoQ) has selected a new IT head from the ranks of Telstra, with experience in banking, IT services, and telecommunications fields.

The new group executive IT and operations, Jim Stabback, is currently working as an executive director in Telstra's consumer segment. Stabback previously held positions in the Commonwealth Bank, Westpac and EDS.

Stabback is excited about working in a company which is relatively small in comparison to his previous employers, allowing projects to be pushed through more swiftly: "It's just easier to get things done."

However, he doesn't think the experience will differ significantly from his stint at the major banks. "Many of the challenges are the same — although I think BoQ needs to work harder to make sure it optimises some of those sourcing and supplier relationships," he said.

His experience at EDS will help him to understand IT sourcing from the supplier side, while his various terms in telecommunications have given him insight into what he considers "a critical part of the technology landscape".

While big banks gear up for core modernisations, Stabback can keep that off his list for now. "It's not that long ago that BoQ made some material investment on upgrading their core platforms."

The Bank of Queensland completed its AU$40 million core modernisation in 2004.

He will start his new role at the bank in September, replacing Iain Blacklaw who resigned earlier this year.