Our Team
Meet our team
James
Founder & Principal Consultant
Sam
Chief Information Security Officer
Shannon
Senior Systems & Network Engineer
Olivia
Systems & Network Engineer (In Training)
Maleta
Administration
Lee
Senior Technical Engineer
Tristan
Engagement Partner
Vicki
Accounts & Payroll
James Bennett-Ackland
Founder & Principal Consultant at Forefront
meet the founder
Founder & Principal Consultant
at Forefront
James Bennett-Ackland is widely recognised as one of Melbourne’s foremost technology leaders and a trusted expert in CIO-level consulting and strategic IT leadership. With a distinguished career spanning over two decades, James blends deep technical knowledge with strategic insight, empowering businesses to leverage technology in secure, innovative, and scalable ways.
James’ fascination with technology dates back to the early 1990s, even before the launch of Windows 95. Driven by an insatiable curiosity, he frequently disassembled his family’s computer to explore its inner workings. Though his hands-on experiments once led to a memorable and slightly explosive outcome, they set the foundation for his meticulous and innovative approach to technology today. Thankfully, these days, he’s considerably safer.
Early Achievements and Entrepreneurial Beginnings
James’ journey from youthful curiosity to professional ambition is truly inspiring. His early achievements, such as becoming RMIT University’s youngest student in IT Network Management at just 16 years old, are a testament to his determination and skill. These milestones set him on his entrepreneurial path, inspiring others with his early success.
Since those formative years, James has built an impressive track record in senior IT leadership roles, including Head of IT, Director of IT, and Chief Information Officer (CIO) at prominent national and global organisations. His extensive experience spans various sectors, including Legal, Healthcare, Education, Finance, Retail, and Hospitality. His ability to deliver tangible results and innovative solutions has earned him recognition and respect across industries.
James’s leadership in the IT industry is not just about his personal success. It’s about his dedication to the industry’s growth. His active contribution to the broader IT community through sharing knowledge and supporting the development of future leaders is a reassuring sign of the industry’s promising future.
James developed the idea for Forefront during a reflective walk in the park with his partner. Frustrated by the lack of transparency, personalised service, and integrity prevalent within traditional IT providers, James envisioned a company dedicated to genuinely understanding and supporting businesses. Too often, companies were oversold generic, overpriced, and unnecessary IT solutions that didn’t align with their actual needs or growth strategies. Forefront IT Executive Consulting was established to change this dynamic fundamentally.
As the Founder and Principal Consultant at Forefront, James’s leadership is guided by the company’s core values of integrity, honesty, and compassion. These values are not just words but principles that guide every client interaction and project. Businesses partnering with Forefront can be confident they will receive recommendations solely for value-added services and solutions
Local Focus with international connections:
Delivering Enterprise-Grade Expertise to Growing Businesses
Today, James Bennett-Ackland brings enterprise-grade thinking and CIO-level strategy to medium and large businesses, particularly those experiencing rapid growth. His strategic guidance ensures IT systems are functional, strategically aligned, scalable, and secure. Whether your business aims to modernise infrastructure, enhance cybersecurity defences, or develop a comprehensive, future-proof IT roadmap, James and the expert team at Forefront are committed to helping you reach your goals.
James Bennett-Ackland’s unique blend of technical acumen, strategic foresight, and authentic, value-driven leadership is the cornerstone of Forefront IT Executive Consulting. This unique blend continues to set Forefront apart as a trusted IT consultancy partner in Melbourne, Sydney, and beyond
