MPI chief info, tech officer resigns

By: Danielle Da Silva Posted: 5:35 PM CDT Friday, Jun. 2, 2023

Manitoba Public Insurance has lost another member of its executive.

Read this article for free:

or

Already have an account? Log in here »

To continue reading, please subscribe:

*Billed as $4.00 plus GST every four weeks. After 24 weeks, price increases to the regular rate of $19.00 plus GST every four weeks. Offer available to new and qualified returning subscribers only. Cancel any time.

*Billed as $19 plus GST every four weeks. Cancel any time.

Manitoba Public Insurance has lost another member of its executive.

Read unlimited articles for free today:

or

Already have an account? Log in here »

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 02/06/2023 (828 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Manitoba Public Insurance has lost another member of its executive.

Chief information and technology officer Siddhartha Parti resigned from the Crown corporation Friday, interim chief executive officer Marnie Kacher confirmed in a statement to the Free Press.

“With Mr. Parti’s departure, Shawn Campbell will serve as interim vice-president and chief information and technology officer, as the corporation conducts a search for a permanent replacement,” a statement issued later in the day reads.

MIKAELA MACKENZIE / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS FILES
Chief information and technology officer Siddhartha Parti resigned from Manitoba Public Insurance Friday — MIKAELA MACKENZIE / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS FILES

Chief information and technology officer Siddhartha Parti resigned from Manitoba Public Insurance Friday

No other information was provided.

Parti’s resignation follows the sacking of Eric Herbelin as CEO on May 21.

MPI’s board of directors fired Herbelin with cause following an internal investigation into his “work-related conduct.”

Herbelin joined the corporation in early 2021, as MPI was pursuing the largest information technology modernization effort in its history, known as Project Nova.

The overhaul was initially budgeted to cost $100 million but has ballooned to $290 million. The price jump was blamed on incomplete advice from consultants hired to prepare the initial business case.

Parti was hired as chief information and technology officer in May 2021, according to his online professional profile. He’s listed as earning $153,679 in his first year with corporation.

In recent months, MPI has faced significant public scrutiny and criticism for its handling of Project Nova, prompting Justice Minister Kelvin Goertzen to issue two directives to the corporation.

In January, the Public Utilities Board ordered a closer look at MPI’s spending on Project Nova, citing concerns it had lost control of the $290-million budget.

MPI also came under fire for awarding more than $12 million in untendered contracts to global consulting firm McKinsey & Co. to help with the rollout of Project Nova.

Goertzen issued a directive requiring the corporation to competitively source goods and services in February.

In April, the Steinbach MLA issued a second directive ordering a third-party organizational review and barred MPI from making “material changes” to its operations during the review period.

The directive was issued in response to concerns over untendered contracts, executive staff turn over, hiring plans and issues identified by the PUB, which is the regulator.

One month later, Portage la Prairie dentist Michael Sullivan resigned as MPI board chair. Former MPI chief administrative officer and vice-president Ward Keith was appointed in his place.

According to Friday’s statement, Campbell has been with MPI since 2016, most recently as director, enterprise architecture.

“He has also been part of Project Nova since its inception and is well-equipped to lead the program during this transition,” MPI said.

danielle.dasilva@freepress.mb.ca