Breaking new ground, the top CIOs from across the Asia Pacific region came together this week to mark the culmination of two years of hard work which has led to the introduction of new standards for IT professionals.

Changing the face of the local IT industry, 20 CIOs were appointed Fellows for the development of Australia's very first accreditation for CIOs, which will see IT professionals receive the title CPIO (Certified Practicing Information Officer).

The accreditation is a joint initiative between the CIO Executive Council, Certified Practicing Accountants (CPAs), six universities and the Australian Computer Society (ACS).

Everyone involved in the initiative came together at the Four Seasons Hotel in Sydney in recognition of the new standards being developed for the IT profession, which is a first for Australia.

The event was hosted by the CIO Executive Council, an advocacy group formed in July 2005, which is a brains trust of the top IT leaders in the country to create programs and methodologies to formalise the profession.

Executive director of the peer to peer networking group, which now has 81 members, is Con Colovos.

He said the energy in the room on the night was electric as it was an opportunity for members to recognize their achievements to date.

"We have gone beyond our charter of creating synergies between CIOs and collaborative unions; we haven't just set standards for the industry but we are developing future leaders," Colovos said.

Queensland government CIO Peter Grant described the event and the achievements of the council as inspiring.

"It's a great opportunity to share ideas. There is so much outstanding talent in the council providing mentoring opportunities for young people," Grant said.

"The council is giving industry a lot of credibility, not just in IT but in the community generally.

"CIOs have a tough job so it's great to get together with peers and share experiences and offer some well-deserved recognition."

Victorian Police Commissioner Christine Nixon attended the event to support Victoria Police CIO Valda Berzins, who was made a Fellow on the night.

Other Fellows include:

• Aristocrat Leisure CIO Paul Cavanagh-Downs;
• Alcatel Australia CIO Jim Breen;
• Raytheon Australia IT director Bruce Carlos;
• Australian Securities & Investments Commission CIO Karen Clarke;
• Swinburn University CIO Richard Constantine;
• Toll Group IT general manager Martin Dunne;
• NSW government CIO Paul Edgecumbe;
• Boeing Australia manager of information systems David Gee;
• Queensland government CIO Peter Grant;
• Qld Investment Corporation IS manager John Keay;
• SA government CIO Grantly Mailes;
• Sinclair Knight Merz IS general manager Peter Nevin;
• News Ltd CIO John Pittard;
• Colgate Palmolive global IT vice president Barry Simpson;
• Australian Government Information Management Office CIO Ann Steward;
• Government of Victoria CIO Jane Treadwell;
• Lion Nathan CIO Darryl Warren;
• Brisbane City Council CIO Tony Welsh;
• Corporate Express CIO Garry Whatley, and
• Bank of Queensland CIO Nick Young.

The CIO Executive Council is a division of IDG, the publisher of Computerworld.