CIO appointed for London 2012 Olympics

A chief information officer has been appointed to deliver the technology behind the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Former Co-operative Financial Services executive Gerry Pennell will design, procure and run the technology programme before and during the games.

Pennell's responsibilities will include delivering the games' telecommunications, business-technology services and the technology underpinning the venue and results.

Before joining Co-operative Financial Services as executive director of business transformation and shared services, Pennell was director of technology for the Manchester Commonwealth Games, where he designed and delivered the IT involved.

Pennell will join the London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games in November, and report to chief executive Paul Deighton.

Pennell said in a statement: "This is a once-in-a-lifetime role. My experience at the Manchester Commonwealth Games was one of the most enjoyable and challenging times in my career, and gave me an insight into the strategies, skills and structures needed for the London 2012 technology brief."

Pennell will work closely with BT, Nortel, Atos Origin, Omega, Panasonic and Samsung, the London 2012 technology partners.