IFS, a leading enterprise cloud and Industrial AI platform, has appointed Debra McCowan as Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO), effective October 2024.

In her new role, Debra brings nearly three decades of HR leadership experience. She will lead IFS’s HR transformation strategy, spearheading high-performing global teams of 7,000 employees across more than 90 countries, and delivering progressive HR strategies and initiatives aimed at growth and expansion.

Most recently, Debra served as Executive VP & Global CHRO at NetApp for over five years. Her previous roles include CHRO at Equinix, Co-Founder and Interim Partner for Leadership & Organisational Development at Accelerance Group International, Vice President of Worldwide HR at Avago Technologies, and Vice President of HR at Hitachi Data Systems. She began her HR career at Telstra in Australia.

Academically, Debra holds a postgraduate degree in HR and Industrial Relations Management from the University of Melbourne and a bachelor’s degree in English Literature from La Trobe University. She has extensive experience in building high-performing teams and enhancing effectiveness through engaged leadership, coaching, and mentoring.

Welcoming Debra to the leadership team, Mark Moffat, Chief Executive Officer at IFS, said, “I’m delighted that Debra is joining IFS at such a pivotal moment in its growth journey. Debra is a transformational HR executive with years of global leadership experience in the technology sector, making her an excellent fit for this role. I look forward to the new perspectives and ideas she will bring to IFS as we pursue our global mission to lead the Industrial AI revolution.”

Debra added, “Joining IFS during a period of significant global growth is a tremendous opportunity. My mission is to continue fostering a conducive environment where diverse, strategically aligned, high-performing teams can connect and thrive in a fast-paced and dynamic workplace. I look forward to this exciting challenge.”

In addition to Debra’s appointment, IFS has also named Helena Nimmo as Global Chief Information Officer (CIO), tasked with driving the integration of AI across the IFS community, enabling IFS customers to deliver exceptional service experiences. Helena most recently served as CIO at Endava and previously held key roles at Euromonitor International, Nimmo Oy, Thomson Reuters, and Fujitsu.

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Helena commented, “I’m thrilled to join IFS, the world leader in cloud enterprise software and Industrial AI. I am excited to apply my expertise to drive digital innovation and deliver exceptional value to our customers. I have a passion for technology and a commitment to excellence, and I am eager to contribute to IFS’s continued growth and success.”

Looking forward to leading the AI revolution, market growth, and expansion with Helena, CEO Mark welcomed her, stating, “I’m delighted to welcome Helena. Her leadership has been instrumental in orchestrating company-wide transformations, developing core technology infrastructures, and implementing robust security measures.”