With a work history in sectors as diverse as real estate, fitness and motoring, O'Dell says he has gained knowledge crucial to working as head of IT in what, and in retrospect, were some often unexpected places.

"I came into IT from other industries where I picked up people management skills that have really helped in my current role," he says.

Working for a business that recently franchised and has grown from eight to 45 offices, O'Dell needs to split his time across a variety of business functions.

"Because the infrastructure, development and business analyst teams report to me, my day is normally divided across service delivery to business and project management," he says. "I am also on the executive leadership team."

Managing IT for the largest independent real estate group in Australia has not been without reward, with O'Dell winning multiple estate gongs in recognition of McGrath's innovative website, as well as for software designed in-house.