JOSEPH GABRIEL LAGONSIN
News Editor
Altis Consulting has appointed former Deloitte executive Craig Chapman as Regional Leader for the ACT, expanding the data consultancy’s leadership presence in Canberra.
Chapman joins from Deloitte, where he was Specialist Director. He brings experience across engineering, architecture, pre-sales and executive technology leadership, including serving as a chief technology officer.
The appointment comes as government agencies in Canberra place greater emphasis on data systems that support ongoing decision-making rather than isolated analysis. It also reflects growing pressure on public sector organisations to respond to demand for artificial intelligence while managing older technology environments.
Chapman said agencies are changing the way they approach data.
“What’s changing in Canberra is the shift from one-off analysis to building systemised, real-time data capability. Agencies are moving beyond running queries to needing trusted data products that can support decisions at scale.
At the same time, AI is creating both opportunity and pressure. Some organisations are ready to move, others are being asked to act before the foundations are in place. That’s where a practical, implementation-led approach really matters,” he said.
His appointment gives Altis a senior executive focused on the ACT market at a time when Canberra remains a key centre for public sector technology spending and data projects. Independent consultancies and larger professional services firms are competing for work tied to data modernisation, analytics and AI adoption across federal agencies.
Chapman said his background helps him work across technical and commercial teams.
“My deep technical background, combined with hands-on experience, allows me to build trust with both IT and business decision makers,” he said.
“I enjoy taking the time to meet with people and getting a good understanding of their underlying needs before jumping to solutions.”
Agency demand
Chapman also highlighted the practical constraints departments face as they update data environments while maintaining day-to-day operations. Legacy systems remain deeply embedded across many parts of government, often making integration and scaling more difficult.
“Government departments are focused on their core mission and often don’t have the capacity to continually build new, non-scalable applications. This is driving demand for organisations like Altis who can provide both expertise and flexibility to deliver sustainable outcomes,” he said.
For Altis, the hire is part of a broader effort to deepen its footprint in Canberra. The independent data consultancy works with businesses, institutions and government agencies across Australia and New Zealand.
Altis said Chapman’s mix of technical and client-facing experience aligns with the firm’s approach in the ACT market.
“Craig brings a valuable combination of deep technical expertise and a genuine ability to connect with people. He takes time to understand what organisations are trying to achieve and works alongside them to deliver practical outcomes.
That approach is central to how we work at Altis and will be incredibly valuable for our clients in the ACT,” said Pilcher.
The company is also recruiting in Canberra for a principal consultant role and a consultant position focused on business and data analysis, indicating it is building local delivery capacity alongside the leadership appointment.
Altis has operated for more than 27 years and focuses on data analytics and advisory work. In Canberra, demand for those services has increasingly centred on making government data more usable across agencies, improving trust in information used for policy and operational decisions, and preparing technology estates for more advanced AI tools.
Chapman’s remarks suggest the next phase of work in the territory will depend less on pilot projects and more on whether departments can establish the underlying systems needed to support data use at scale.