Gerry Pennell OBE

Gerry Pennell OBE ( BSc Mathematics 1980) – CIO of LOGOG

A graduate in Mathematics, Yorkshire-born Gerry Pennell’s career quickly developed into software development and project management.

He spent several successful years leading major IT and software-related projects for a number of large organisations, including a period in management consultancy with PriceWaterhouseCoopers. But it wasn’t until 2000 when his name first came to wider prominence, when he took on the role of Director of Technology for the 17^th Commonwealth Games held in Manchester in 2002.

It was a high profile, high pressure role that required him to lead the establishment from scratch of an entire technology department, the selection of key suppliers and sponsors, and the delivery of the IT and telecommunications for the Games, which at the time was the largest multi-sport event ever held in the UK.

After the success of the Games, Gerry moved across town to become to become CIO for the Cooperative Financial Services and the Cooperative Group – a £9.5bn turnover group of businesses covering banking, insurance, retail and a whole host of other areas.  As well as the re-engineering of the internet bank Smile and other major implementations, Gerry led an extensive modernisation programme, including the out-sourcing and off-shoring of significant elements of IT.

When London won the rights to stage the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, Gerry was one of the obvious candidates for the role of CIO. He joined LOCOG in 2008 and spent the next four years developing, managing and delivering the massive technology programme necessary for staging the largest event in the world.

He was appointed a Member of the Olympic Order – the IOC’s highest honour – in August 2012, and awarded an OBE in the Queen’s New Years Honours List 2013 in recognition of his contribution to London 2012.

In July 2013, Gerry’s career came full circle when he returned to The University of Manchester as director of IT.