Cogstate is pleased to announce the appointment of two new executives who will join our Executive Leadership Team. Mr Darren Watson has been appointed as Chief Financial Officer (CFO) effective 1 February 2021 and Mr Ben Bloomfield has been appointed as Chief Technology Officer (CTO) effective 11 January 2021.
The CFO is a new executive role at Cogstate where Mr Watson will lead the existing finance team, whilst bringing his extensive operational experience to support Cogstate’s operations team.
The appointment of a permanent CTO replaces the interim role that has been in place since January 2020, when recruitment of that role was disrupted by the pandemic.
In commenting on these appointments, Chief Executive Officer, Brad O’Connor said “I’m delighted to announce these key executive appointments. Both Darren and Ben bring deep technology sector expertise gained in large, global businesses which will supplement and further strengthen the skills of our Executive Leadership Team.”
Chief Financial Officer
Mr Watson is an experienced business executive with over 20 years working in the technology sector across a number of international locations.
In 1998, Mr Watson joined IBM where, for the past 22 years, he has worked across finance, operations and strategy roles, most recently as Chief Operating Officer, IBM A/NZ Global Technology Services. His most recent role followed stints in Shanghai, China working in strategy for the IBM Growth Markets Head Office, then in Singapore as the CFO for the IBM GTS Asia Pacific business covering A/NZ, ASEAN, India/South Asia, China and South Korea.
Mr Watson graduated from Bendigo College of Advanced Education with a Bachelor of Business before joining KPMG and completing his Chartered Accountant qualification.
Chief Technology Officer
Mr Bloomfield is a business led technologist with 20 years experience across fast moving digital environments. Following a 15 year management and IT consulting career, spanning Accenture, IBM Global Business Services and Capgemini (where he held the role of Director and Head of Business Transformation Australia & New Zealand), Mr Bloomfield then took the role of General Manager Technology, Wagering and Media at Tabcorp, leading a team of 150 people, including core systems and digital assets for Australia’s oldest and most recognised wagering firm.
In January 2018, Mr Bloomfield took-up the role of CEO at Punters.com.au (a NewsCorp Australia subsidiary), where he led Australia’s largest wagering affiliate. During his time as CEO, the business continued to grow at pace, including the acquisition of two business and the launch of a new affiliate business with News UK. More recently Ben has run his own consultancy business.
Mr Bloomfield graduated from The University of Sydney, with a Bachelor of Business, Agricultural Commerce.
