Unisys Australia nabs new MD from SAP

Global IT services firm Unisys this morning appointed seven-year SAP veteran David Barnes to head up its ANZ operations. He replaces Steve Parker, who quietly left the position early this year to become the chief operating officer at competitor Oakton.

David Barnes
(Credit: Unisys)

Barnes will head up Unisys' Australia and New Zealand operations. Previously, he was SAP's chief operating officer for Europe, Middle East and Africa. He has also been chief financial officer of several SAP divisions, including Australia.

The news comes as Unisys faces increasing pressure due to declining revenues, which overnight led to the resignation of its global chief executive, Joseph McGrath.

Since Parker's departure, Unisys ANZ was led by its Sydney-based Asia-Pacific vice president and general manager Andrew Barkla. Barnes will report to Barkla.

"[Barnes] will continue the successful strategy of focusing on the financial services, public sector and transportation segments as seen in the new business wins already attained in 2008, including a major Australian bank, Australia Post, ING Direct, NSW RailCorp and Vodafone," said Barkla this morning.

Locally the company has a number of challengers for its business, including a resurgent Hewlett-Packard, which has recently purchased EDS, and smaller firms like Oakton, UXC, SMS Management and Technology and ASG.