Government, businesses undervalue Australian ICT

Addressing the growing skills shortage problem is also high on Birks' hit list; he spent the previous four years as an AIIA board member leading its efforts in tackling workforce issues.

"It is not necessarily unique to our industry but we have to work even harder because of the shrinking number of ICT graduates. That is one thing I am passionate about, making sure ICT does everything it can to improve workforce dynamics," he said.

Growing the AIIA's 500-plus membership base and continuing to deliver value for businesses that are part of the association is another key objective for the interim CEO.

"When you look at the number of ICT companies out there it is much bigger than our 500 members. We would like to move to a much larger membership and increase member value so that companies feel like they have to be part of the AIIA."

In recent years Birks' background was as CEO and managing director of Australian based global market research company Ideas International. He has committed to the interim CEO role until the end of the calendar year, at which time the AIIA and himself will discuss future arrangements.

"What I've found through growing and developing an Australian business that can play on a global stage is that we have a great deal of talent and ability in our local industry. We can do things that other people find challenging in other parts of the world."