University of Newcastle CIO leaves after four months

Mark Pigot has left the position of CIO at the University of Newcastle after just four months in the job.

Pigot told CIO Australia he left the role some weeks ago, but declined to comment further.

He was appointed CIO in June this year following Mary Sharp’s resignation in February to take on a new role as head of IT for UTS Insearch, a Sydney-based higher education institution and pathway provider to the University of Technology Sydney.

Ann Walters, associate director IT services, has been appointed acting CIO, according to a staff directory. She was also appointed acting CIO following the departure of Sharp.

Pigot was formerly director of ICT infrastructure and operation at the University of Sydney and has also worked in IT roles at the Commonwealth Bank of Australia, EDS, Reckitt and Colman and AMP.

He was appointed to the role of CIO to lead the University of Newcastle’s strategic plan to be a global leader in education, research and innovation by 2025.

Pigot previously told CIO Australia the university is planning to establish a building in its Newcastle city campus that allows teachers to pilot new technology-driven learning styles, such as flip and blended learning and massive open online course.

The University of Newcastle said it will begin looking for another CIO shortly.