IBM Consulting names new leaders: Melanie Evans and Wynand Fourie
▼ Summary
– IBM Consulting Australia appointed Melanie Evans as Partner and Distribution & Industrial Leader for East Australia and promoted Wynand Fourie to lead the D&I sector in Western states.
– Melanie Evans brings over 20 years of experience in technology, digital, and data transformation from roles at Ventia, KPMG, and Telstra, and has recently advised public-sector agencies.
– Evans aims to help clients accelerate modernization, use AI responsibly, and achieve sustainable outcomes through digital and operational excellence in her new role.
– Wynand Fourie, a partner since 2015, will now lead the D&I sector in Western Australia and serve as Head of IBM’s Perth Office, focusing on technology innovation and local team building.
– IBM’s leadership changes reflect its commitment to the Western Australia market and applying technology and AI to boost productivity in the Distribution & Industrial sector.
IBM Consulting Australia has announced significant leadership changes, appointing Melanie Evans as Partner and Distribution & Industrial Leader for East Australia, while promoting Wynand Fourie to lead the Distribution & Industrial sector across Western states. These strategic appointments strengthen IBM’s focus on key industries including Retail, FMCG, Transportation, Logistics, and Natural Resources.
Melanie Evans brings over two decades of expertise in technology, digital transformation, and data strategy across both industry and government sectors. In recent months, she has worked as an independent advisor to public-sector organizations, helping them reshape digital and data operating models, improve governance frameworks, and enhance leadership capabilities. Before joining IBM, Evans held senior roles such as Group Executive for Digital Services at Ventia, where she directed technology, data, and cybersecurity functions throughout Australia and New Zealand. She also served as a National Partner at KPMG, overseeing the Connected Technology practice.
Evans expressed enthusiasm about her new position, stating, “I am excited to take on this role and support our clients in accelerating modernization, adopting AI responsibly, and achieving sustainable results through operational and digital excellence.”
David Ellis, Managing Partner of IBM Consulting Australia, praised Evans as a standout leader in the Australian technology scene. He highlighted her recognition by iTnews as Technology Leader of the Year and Industrial Technology Leader 2025. Ellis added, “Her impressive background includes serving as CIO at Ventia, a partner at KPMG, and a senior technology leader at Telstra. We are delighted she has decided to join IBM Consulting and contribute to our mission.”
Evans, a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and an active member of Chief Executive Women, is also dedicated to mentoring rising professionals and advocating for inclusion, mental health, and diversity within the technology industry.
Wynand Fourie, who has been a partner with IBM Consulting since 2015, will now lead the Distribution & Industrial sector in Western Australia while also assuming the role of Head of IBM’s Perth Office. Fourie has extensive experience managing major client relationships and delivering impactful outcomes for the D&I sector nationwide.
David Ellis commented on the promotion, saying, “We see tremendous potential to leverage technology innovation and artificial intelligence to boost productivity in the Distribution & Industrial sector. Investing in exceptional leaders like Wynand underlines our strong commitment to the Western Australian market.”
Fourie’s priorities will include strengthening IBM’s collaboration with Edith Cowan University and building a local team that mirrors the diversity and needs of Perth-based clients. He noted, “IBM has transformed significantly by embracing AI and modern work practices. We are now positioned to share that expertise and help our clients realize tangible value from their own transformation journeys.”
(Source: ITWire Australia)
