Invited Speakers
Rob England is an independent IT management consultant, trainer, and commentator based in Wellington, New Zealand. Rob is an internationally-recognised thought leader in DevOps and IT Service Management (ITSM) and a published author of seven books and many articles. He is best known for his controversial blog and alter-ego, the IT Skeptic. He speaks regularly at international conferences.
Rob is an acknowledged contributor to The DevOps Handbook, and to ITIL (2011 Service Strategy book), and a lead author of VeriSM. Rob was awarded the inaugural New Zealand IT Service Management Champion award for 2010 by itSMFnz, and made a Life Member in 2017.
Rob labels himself a “DevOps anticryptoequinologist”. (He’s interested in DevOps for horses not unicorns.)
Rob England
Mike Milford
Innovation (SA&I) Branch produces strategic-level documents and blueprints that guide the Department in its use of technology and related capabilities. SA&I also lead the development of enterprise and technology architecture, and has a team dedicated to innovation and exploring emerging technologies.
The Business Engagement and Portfolio Management Office (BE&PMO) Branch is the enterprise planning and coordination function for both MCD and ICTD. BE&PMO works closely with the S&VM and SA&I Branches (as well as the Department’s ICTD delivery areas), to plan and develop a programme of work that enables Strategy 2020 goals and objectives. Finally, MCD’s Operational Capability Branch is responsible for providing the Department and the Australian Border Force with the operational capabilities that it requires to control the border (SmartGates, CCTV cameras, secure communications etc).
Prior to this appointment Mike was the Head of ICT Operations (HICTO) in the Chief Information Officer Group (CIOG) at Defence as a Major General in the Army. In this role he held overall responsibility for delivery of the Defence Single Information Environment as a global end to end information and communications capability, including the provision of satellite communications, electromagnetic spectrum and networks to support military operations and Departmental administration.
While posted to CIOG, Mike was also the Director General Information and Communications Technology Policy and Plans from 2008 and then went on to fill the role of Chief Technology Officer responsible for strategic guidance and technical direction for the architecture, design and purchase of ICT products and services in Defence. He retired from the Army in March 2015.
He is a Distinguished Academic Graduate of the National Defense University Washington and in 2006 he was made a Member of the Order of Australia in the Australia Day Honours list for his work in command and as Director of Personnel – Army. Mike is married to Jenni and they have three children, Rachel, Christopher, and Emily. Mike is an avid reader and fisherman.
Mike Milford was appointed to the position of First Assistant Secretary, Major Capability Division in the Department of Immigration and Border Protection in August 2015. The Major Capability Division (MCD) is responsible for the design, coordination and project management of all new major capabilities for what is now the Department of Home Affairs.
MCD’s Sourcing and Vendor Management (S&VM) Branch provides specific expertise in undertaking sourcing and procurement activities, management of contracts, use of panels of providers and developing strategic partnerships with industry. The Strategy, Architecture and