Reece Group's veteran tech boss quits to return to Sydney

Reece Group’s head of IT and innovation Mike Culnane has handed in his resignation after six years with the plumbing and bathroom products supplier.

Culnane told iTnews he intends to remain with the Melbourne-based company until the end of the year to tie up a number of loose ends before relocating back to Sydney next year.

During his six-and-a-half years with Reece, Culnane oversaw a combined team of more than 100 technologists through a multi-year IT and digital transformation program.

The main objectives of the program included replacing Reece’s core business systems and processes and expanding the use of business intelligence.

It also included the digitisation and automation of administrative processes, a redevelopment of the company’s point of sales systems, infrastructure and hardware upgrades, and customer-facing improvements like the launch of a 3D bathroom planner.

Gavin Street, who joined Reece as its CFO in December 2008, will take over Culnane’s duties under the newly-created title of chief digital and data officer.

An experienced finance executive, Street has previously served as the CFO of Westpac New Zealand, as well as in senior roles at GE Capital, Esanda and Ford Motor Credit Company.

Along with its chain of more than 475 plumbing supply stores, Reece Group is also the parent company of air conditioning wholesale supply company Metalflex and refrigeration parts supplier Actrol.