ACS Fellow Anthony Wong has been elected as the new ACS President for 2016-17, replacing Brenda Aynsley OAM whose term finishes at the end of the year.

Wong holds Certified Professional status with the ACS.

He is the Principal of a multidisciplinary law and consulting firm, AGW Lawyers & Consultants specialising in IT and the Digital Economy.

He has held senior management positions in multinational corporations and government, including as CIO of the Australian Tourist Commission during the Sydney 2000 Olympics and led the development of digital publishing and business transformation during his tenure at Thomson.

Wong also chaired the NSW Government ICT Advisory Panel, was a member of the NSW Government Accelerating Digital Government Taskforce in 2014 and served on the IT Industry Innovation Council for the Australian Department of Industry.

After being elected, Wong said he would work to build on ACS’ position as an evangelist for ICT professionalism.

“Recent events in the UN General Assembly and around the globe suggest that our leaders are beginning to acknowledge the importance of ICT professionalism and the need for professional excellence in the practice of ICT,” he said.

“I look forward to continuing to champion the cause as we celebrate ACS’ achievements, the advancements in ICT and its transformative contributions to business, government and society over the last 50 years”.

ACS CEO Andrew Johnson praised the election of Wong’s election.

“Anthony has long been a dedicated servant of the ACS and the profession as a whole,” Johnson said.

“His breadth of experience will be a great asset to the ACS as we celebrate our Golden Jubilee in 2016, but more importantly he will be a key part of shaping what our future looks like.”

Johnson also paid tribute to the outgoing President Brenda Aynsley OAM.

“Over the last two years, Brenda has worked tirelessly for the ACS,” Johnson said.

“Her legacy will be one of great change for the organisation and a significant improvement in the profile of women in ICT.

“Brenda was our first female President, and her efforts will ensure that she isn’t our last.

“The ACS and the profession owe her an enormous debt of gratitude.”

Wong also extended his thanks to Aynsley for her dedication and service to the ICT Profession.

“Brenda continues in her role as Chair of the International Professional Practice Partnership (IP3) of IFIP whose mission is to advance global ICT professionalism,” Wong said.

“Her leadership has been exceptional and inspirational in driving the ICT professionalism and trustworthy computing agenda in Australia, at UNESCO, the ITU and the United Nations as our world economy undergoes rapid digital disruption, reimagination and transformation.”

Stay tuned to Information Age for an in-depth interview with Anthony Wong.