Gerry Pennell CIO50 2009

Gerry Pennell is leading the team that will deliver the IT and telecoms backbone of the London 2012 Olympics Games, as well as providing the big screens, sound systems, timing and scoring technology.

Pennell has a pedigree in managing IT for large sporting events, having worked as director of technology for the 17th Commonwealth Games in Manchester in 2002.

When appointed to the Olympic job he said: "This is a once in a lifetime role."

Before joining LOCOG, Pennell was CIO for Co-operative Financial Services and the Co-operative Group, helping to head a significant programme of modernisation and change.

He has extensive experience with leading large-scale IT projects, managing programmes for various software houses, Barclays and PricewaterhouseCoopers.

Pennell has 20 years experience in general consulting, financial services and IT roles, including software management and design and is also a non-executive director of the National Computing Centre.