Former South African Revenue Service (SARS) CIO Ken Jarvis has "outgrown" the role of CIO and would rather spend more time coaching and mentoring.
Jarvis, who joined SARS in 2002 as CIO to oversee the technology and process division, left the revenue service last year, to take up a chief technology officer post with AA Autobay - a local pre-owned car portal, dealing in privately-owned vehicles.
However, after 16 months, Jarvis says his work is done, having set up the company's systems within its three divisions - the trade-in, finance and insurance businesses.
"There is not a lot of IT work to be done on a day-to-day basis, but I'm staying on in a consulting role, helping with strategic planning."
He is confident AA Autobay has been positioned for growth and is now keen to devote more time to his mentoring and coaching business. This is something he has been discussing with the Autobay group.
Jarvis, who turned 50 this year, believes he can offer a lot to the industry based on his 33 years of IT experience. "I think many CIOs can benefit from someone my age and with my experience."
Jarvis says he will spend four days a week selling his time to organisations, and the rest of his time will be spent pursuing other ventures. However, he is reluctant to divulge details of these projects just yet.
However, Jarvis is adamant he will never take on the role of CIO for any organisation again. "I have outgrown that position. I most thoroughly enjoyed my time at SARS, but I now want to sell my time to whatever organisation feels it can benefit."
Asked whether he would prefer to deal with the private or public sector, Jarvis says he would like to spread himself between the two and go wherever he can add value.
His refusal to serve as CIO for another company means Jarvis would not avail himself even for a high-profile appointment such as that of Home Affairs CIO, unless it is on consultative basis. Kgabo Hlala left this post vacant in October.
"I would be willing to help out Home Affairs if called upon to do so."
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