Farewell to former ANZ tech chief

ZDNet.com.au offers condolences to the family of leading Australian technology executive Mike Grime, following his passing away on the weekend.

Grime joined ANZ in 2003, replacing COO David Boyles and taking the role of managing director of operations, technology and shared services. Before then, he worked with Standard Chartered Bank as the group head of operations.

Grime took a strong stance on the offshoring of IT jobs to India, achieving 40 per cent IT cost reductions for the bank. He believed a close relationship held between Australian and Indian teams was the key to the project's success.

He also presided over the appointment of Peter Dalton who held the CIO position at ANZ until December last year when he became group general manager for innovation.

Grime retired from leading ANZ's tech team in February 2007 to be replaced by David Cartwright. Former CEO John McFarlane had enjoyed a long relationship with Grime and was sad to see him go. "I would like to express my gratitude to him for his immense contribution to the Group since he joined us in 2003," he said at the time.

Grime was highly regarded for his technical and leadership skills and was widely liked throughout the bank for his warmth and humour, said a statement by ANZ posted in the Australian Financial Review this morning by Grime's former colleagues, adding that he would be sadly missed.