MPI chief info, tech officer resigns
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.
No other information was provided.
MIKAELA MACKENZIE / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS FILES
Chief information and technology officer Siddhartha Parti resigned from Manitoba Public Insurance Friday
Parti’s resignation follows the sacking of former CEO Eric Herbelin 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.
