There are few more intense users of IT than the cutting edge of motorsport, Formula 1 teams. So when a front running team loses its IT director to another team, it raises a few eyebrows outside of the rarefied world of the F1 paddock.
And so it was when Williams Group appointed Graeme Hackland as director responsible for the overall technical, operational and delivery for all IT projects within the group.
It is a newly created role, and Hackland’s responsibilities will encompass the group’s F1 and Advanced Engineering divisions.
Hackland joins from the Lotus F1 Team, where he was IT/IS director since 2010, during which the team took several podiums and a couple of wins but without troubling the top three teams at the end of the season. He has held other roles at Lotus after joining 16 years ago.
“The Williams F1 Team has engineering excellence at the heart of its DNA, and Williams Advanced Engineering has an enviable reputation for world class technical innovation,” said Hackland. “I’m excited to play a part in the future success of Williams, bringing my love of applying technology to complex business challenges, especially at a time of major change within Formula One’s technical regulations.”
Hackland originally joined Lotus’ Benetton Formula Ltd brand in 1997 as a network support analyst, and was promoted to IT manager in 2002. He became head of information systems (IS) in 2009.
At Williams, Hackland will also join the company’s executive committee.
Williams’ group CEO, Mike O’Driscoll, welcomed Hackland’s extensive F1 experience.
“As a rapidly expanding high technology business it is important that we continue to invest in the very best IT facilities and personnel. Graeme is the ideal person to direct our IT infrastructure moving forwards and his vast knowledge of the Formula 1 operating environment will be particularly invaluable.”
Williams F1 has been going through a tough time in terms of results for the last few seasons, and has been making major changes behind the scenes in the hope of creating a stable team structure after several high profile departures, such as that of Sam Michael to McLaren.
computerworlduk.com and TechCentral Reporters
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