BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT, has appointed former IBM executive Rashik Parmar MBE as its new group chief executive, effective 1st October
Taking over from acting CEO Rob Deri — who will remain part of the senior executive team — Parmar will lead all industry representation operations for BCS.
Parmar previously spent over four decades at IBM, helping to drive its European technical strategy with a focus on guiding companies toward digital transformation and cloud computing.
Positions held during his time at IBM include lead cloud advisor for Europe; technical executive & distinguished engineer for Europe; and EMEA vice-president of technology.
A Fellow of both IBM and BCS, Rashik gained his MBE for helping local businesses and for his work at IBM’s Academy of Technology.
His career also includes a seven-year tenure as chair of the Employment and Skills Panel for the Leeds City Region Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP).
Alongside his extensive tech sector work, Rashik is also a visiting professor at Imperial College London, and advisory council member at The Open University.
In addition, he chairs BCS’ Fellows Technical Advisory Group (F-TAG), which explains the opportunities and challenges of emerging technologies.
“I became a member of BCS in 1981 as a student because I wanted to show my commitment to making IT good for society, as well as being proud to have professional recognition. Even then it was clear that computing and tech would shape the world’s future,” said new BCS CEO, Rashik.
“That’s why I’m a member today and why I am honoured to have been chosen by the Trustee Board to lead the professional body for information technology.
“We’re still just beginning to see the full potential of digitisation to solve the world’s great challenges in a sustainable way. I want BCS to be the home for every tech professional who recognises the power we have to transform lives and who wants to have a say in how that power is used.
“Let’s create a global community of trusted, ethical professionals from cyber security to climate change, who all care about growing diversity and inclusion in their fields, and closing the digital divide.”
Mayank Prakash, president of BCS, commented: “The selection of Rashik Parmar as the new CEO marks the start of a new chapter for BCS. I am delighted that Rashik brings us an unrivalled level of experience gained from a distinguished career in international technology leadership.
“He has the vision to grow and broaden the impact of BCS as technology plays a pivotal role in solving mankind’s biggest challenges, like providing universal access to good health, food and water, education, safety and information.
“On behalf of all board members, I would like to thank Rob Deri for his leadership during this period of transition. Our Deputy President Gillian Arnold and I are delighted he will continue in a senior executive leadership role.”
BCS acting CEO, Rob Deri, added: “Rashik will be an inspirational leader for BCS and it is a pleasure to hand over to him, as we continue to deliver on the four pillars of our strategy: developing our membership; helping technologists to progress throughout their careers; inspiring new entrants to the profession; and making our expertise and influence count.
“I’m grateful for the continuing support of policy makers, solution providers and government departments.”
Established in 1957, non-profit industry group BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT, consists of over 60,000 members across 150 countries, and aims to promote and advance the education and practice of computing for the benefit of the public.
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