Kinetic IT appoints Murray Thompson to lead advisory strategy
Kinetic IT has appointed Major General (Retired) Murray Thompson AM CSC as Group Executive Advisory & Transformation.
In his new position, Thompson will oversee Kinetic IT's Advisory & Transformation portfolio, which covers digital transformation, automation, cyber security, and IT consulting services. His appointment is part of Kinetic IT's strategy to enhance its secure and customer-focused technology offerings to government and key industries.
Thompson brings extensive experience to the company from his career in the Australian Army, concluding his service in 2024 at the rank of Major General. Most recently, he served as Head of ICT Operations for the Australian Department of Defence, where he oversaw Defence's global ICT networks and cyber security operations, including satellite and communications infrastructure.
He was also Strategic J6, providing senior cyber and communications advice to the Chief of the Defence Force. Over more than thirty years in the military, Thompson held senior command and strategic planning positions in areas including cyber, force development, training, and operations. He has completed deployments in Afghanistan, Iraq, the Sinai Peninsula, and Germany.
Kinetic IT Chief Executive Officer Michael North commented on the company's strategic direction and Thompson's appointment.
"Murray brings not only deep experience in cyber security and digital infrastructure, but a strategic mindset shaped by decades of leadership in national defence. His expertise will be instrumental in strengthening our sovereign capabilities and helping our customers transform with confidence," said North.
"This appointment also reflects our investment in people and capability as we scale our advisory and transformation services to meet increasing demand across government and critical sectors."
Thompson will be based in Canberra and is expected to work closely with organisations across the public and private sectors to support their transformation and technology goals nationwide.
Reflecting on his new role, Thompson said he is enthusiastic about contributing to an Australian company recognised for its quality outcomes and trusted partnerships.
"Kinetic IT is uniquely positioned to help Australian organisations solve complex challenges at the intersection of technology, security and transformation," he said. "I'm looking forward to working alongside an exceptional team to shape secure, modern, and sustainable solutions for our customers."
Evolving approach
Kinetic IT, established in Western Australia more than 25 years ago, now employs over 1,500 people. The company provides ICT services to federal, state, and local governments, as well as critical infrastructure operators and enterprise customers.
In the past year, Kinetic IT secured new contracts with Main Roads Western Australia and Landgate. The company was also the first Australian provider to gain accreditation for its Service Integration and Management expertise (SIAM Assured status). It received additional industry recognition, being named a leader in the 2024 ISG Provider Lens survey for ServiceNow Ecosystem Partners and, for the fourth consecutive year, was recognised as a Deloitte Best Managed Company in 2025.
Leadership and growth
Kinetic IT's recent growth is supported by its leadership and transformation strategy, which has included appointments of Inese Kingsmill as Non-Executive Director, Lisa Keogh as Chief People Officer, and Lara Barnett (Vandersluis) as Head of Marketing.
The company's portfolio includes cyber security, digital infrastructure, intelligent workplaces, and systems integration, all provided through a security-oriented and onshore delivery framework. Kinetic IT continues to invest in its workforce, partnerships, and technology platforms to assist Australian organisations adapting to a changing digital environment.
