The University of Sussex has appointed Paul Davies as the new Director of IT Services to replace Iain Stinson, who retired at the end of June.

Paul, currently Director of IT and Estates for Southern Water, has more than 30 years’ experience in the service and utility industries, including 15 years in IT and project-delivery roles.

He has been at Southern Water – which provides water and wastewater services for Kent, Sussex, Hampshire and the Isle of Wight – since 2006.

A member of the company’s executive management team, Paul has spent the last seven years leading the organisation through technology and service improvement programmes.

Before that he was with BAA from 2004-06, following two years as Head of IT Applications at EDF Energy, five years with electricity company SEEBOARD (including a stint as IT Operations Manager) and 15 years at South Eastern Electricity as an electrical engineer.

The Vice-Chancellor, Professor Michael Farthing, said: “Our IT services underpin almost all of the academic and non-academic activities of the University, so the Director of IT Services is a critical role for the University now and for the future.

“We were looking for a talented leader who can develop and enhance our IT offering and an individual with experience of leading a large-scale operation within a complex organisation. In appointing Paul Davies we are confident we have achieved both of these aims.

“Paul’s impressive track record in IT service and project-delivery roles will equip him to lead the ongoing transformation of our information technology services."

Paul said: “I am delighted with the appointment and I am looking forward to working with the team at Sussex.

“Transformation and innovation are key elements of improvement that can really make a difference and help deliver the vision of the University."

Julia Darnell will continue as Acting Director of IT Services until Paul takes up his post at Sussex in January 2014.