Kowal joins FTS from DXC Technology where he was vice-president responsible for business development and growth in Australia and New Zealand.

He spent more than 10 years with CSC (one of DXC's forerunners), including three years as chief information officer and director of business excellence.

Kowal previously spent six years at BHP Billiton in a variety of senior IT roles, including leading the technical integration of WMC Resources into BHP Billiton as part of the $9.2 billion acquisition.

"Through our combined skills and experience, FTS Group has a great opportunity to successfully partner and work collaboratively with both Australian private and public sector organisations on the delivery of their ongoing digital transformation journeys," said Kowal.

"I'm very much looking forward to strengthening our customer engagements and leading FTS Group through its next exciting phase of growth and development."

Kowal is a fellow of the Financial Services Institute of Australasia, a senior associate of the Australian and New Zealand Institute of Insurance and Finance, a senior member of the Australian Computer Society (where he previously served as a director and vice-president) and a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

He holds a BSc in computing, management and econometrics from the University of New South Wales, a GDip from the Securities Institute of Australia, and a BSc from the Australian Defence Force Academy.