18 January, 2024

IT Project Delivery Firm Avec Nabs Sarah Martin To Head ACT Region

Avec has announced that the experienced Sarah Martin to lead its operations in ACT. WLT sat down with Martin for a chat ahead of the announcement.

Prior to joining Avec, Martin held roles at Defence Australia, Fujitsu and Accenture stretching back to 1998.

WLT: What attracted you to the role at Avec?

Avec is a Professional Services company with strong ‘Capability as a Service’ offerings. While Avec demonstrated expertise and a cache of client-specific case studies across their tech, tool and system-agnostic service offerings, the absolute and non-negotiable commitment to best practice and delivery was the deciding factor for me.

What do you want to achieve at Avec?

I believe in the capability of Avec and more importantly the ability of our people. I work with diverse, talented, and dedicated people nationally. The end goal is very simple. I would like to see Avec become a professional services partner of choice for our customers.

You have worked in male-dominated fields during the course of your career, have you seen these industries change over time in how they approach DE&I?

Yes and no. The workplace has evolved considerably since the inception of diversity and equality in the ’60s, and although picked up in the ’70s within Australia it was still in its infancy for much of my working life in the ’80s and ’90s. I have been fortunate to have worked with organisations more progressive in their thinking, however, it remained a choice and I feel it still has a considerable way to go. Today DE&I is not a choice. There is an obligation on every organisation to adhere to the principles and although the tech industry in particular is making headway, there is still substantial room for improvement. I believe that for many organisations it is still viewed as a box that requires a compliance tick. Equality – we are getting there. Inclusion – we are still way off where we need to be. To embrace the values that makeup Diversity, Equality and Inclusion, organisations need to implement initiatives that will enable a more DE&I workspace, but this takes considerable effort and investment in human capital.

What would you like to see change in the IT sector (can be anything, not necessarily related to DE&I)?

Technology is changing at a rapid pace, look at the acceleration of AI and Automation and the increased requirement for cyber security measures to prevent and mitigate perimeter threat.

From a female perspective I would like to see more young women entering the sector and more emphasis within organisations on learning pathways to develop the human capital who will take technology into the future, whatever that future may look like!

What advice do you have for women entering the workforce and looking to make their way in the sector?

Back yourself. Believe in your ability and be your own strongest advocate. You will make mistakes along the way but take criticism in your stride. Learn, pivot and adapt. Keep yourself informed. Insight gained from a thirst for knowledge and continual learning will be invaluable to you as you travel through your career. Stay grounded.

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