Ex-IBM Oz boss takes role on consumer data right

Former IBM A/NZ managing director Andrew Stevens is set to oversee the creation of standards to underpin the forthcoming consumer data right.

The right will provide consumers open access to their banking, energy, and telco data, with bank data the first to be targeted via the broader open banking initiative.

Stevens has been appointed interim chair of the Data Standards Body, which is in charge of setting standards for “data transfer including formats, transmission, standards and IT security standards”, according to Treasury.

He spent 12 years at IBM, including a stint as its managing director for A/NZ from 2011 to mid-2014.

Though he officially retired from that role, Stevens has since held a variety of posts including with the Advanced Manufacturing Growth Centre and Stockland.

“The Data Standards Body, established within the CSIRO’s Data61, is facilitating the development of data sharing standards that provide consumers with safe, convenient, and timely methods of accessing and transferring their data to trusted and accredited data recipients,” Treasurer Scott Morrison said in a statement.

“[Stevens, as] independent chair, will ensure the standards maximise the benefits for consumers and are developed in consultation with technology firms, and consumer and privacy groups.”