Bernard Harper

IT Systems Strategist

Bernard has 30 plus years’ experience successfully managing business projects across Telecommunications, Defence, Financial Services, Aid and Development, ICT environments, for both public and private sectors.

This has included managing projects of up to A$35 million including for major blue chip organizations (News Ltd, AMP), Foreign Affairs, ASEAN, Departments of Defence, Community Services, Corrective Services and the Australian Protective Service. He has specialized in systems design and implementation, high-level strategic communications and change management, interactive and presentation skills, negotiations and leadership throughout his career in dynamic and highly challenging environments.

As Managing Director of NetReturn Consulting Pty Ltd, Bernard has been responsible for overseeing delivery of all NRC projects since 2005. This has included on budget and on-time delivery and maintenance projects for public and private sector clients. Bernard provides strategic oversight and guidance, corporate management including chairing the Management Team for project reviews and mentoring Project Managers, and financial, IT and operational systems enhancement.

He leads a team of experienced staff – project management, finance, development, and IT staff – and others at NRC to design, deliver and manage websites and systems integration for both Government and private sector clients.

Bernard has accompanying extensive international experience as an IT professional. He came to Australia in 1992, having worked with British Telecom for 5 years in a senior delivery capacity. Bernard then helped establish early service rollouts for Optus Communications and later co-founded a specialist telecommunications software house. Subsequently Bernard was engaged in senior operational management roles with Cincom, Aspect Telecommunications and Siemens, covering large application rollouts – for 1+ million users – in the Call Centre, Customer Relationship Management (CRM) and integration spaces.

Over his career, Bernard has been involved in projects for clients based in several countries including Australia, India, Indonesia and Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand, ASEAN, the United Kingdom and the United States and is an avid traveler, eager to service his clients across the globe.

At home Bernard is also a keen sailor, classic car enthusiast, enjoys weekends with family experiencing the challenges and freedom of the adventurous outdoors.