Damon Rees, a Macquarie Bank senior executive, joins NSW government as new GCIO and Chief Digital Officer. Appointment announced by Minister for Innovation, Victor Dominello, a keynote speaker at the FST Government NSW Conference Wednesday 18th May (Four Seasons) Sydney.

The NSW Government’s high-profile digital agenda shifts up a gear, with the appointment of Damon Rees to the newly-created Government Chief Information & Digital Officer (GCIDO) role. In a joint statement, Minister for Innovation and Better Regulation Victor Dominello announced the appointment, together with the Minister for Finance, Services and Property Dominic Perrottet.

Mr Rees will start in the GCIDO role from 30 May. He was previously at Macquarie Bank as the Chief Digital Officer. He earlier served as the Chief Technology Officer and interim Chief Information Officer at Woolworths, and as Westpac’s Head of Integrated Delivery.

Minister Dominello, a keynote speaker at the FST Government NSW conference being held Wednesday 18th May (Four Seasons) Sydney said Mr Rees’ whole-of-government oversight will ensure better integration across departments and agencies, and better outcomes for NSW taxpayers.

“The GCIDO will be responsible for enforcing high standards of financial discipline on large-scale ICT projects across government. Damon will also play a critical role in accelerating the digitisation of government services,” he said. Earlier, he shared NSW’s digital roadmap with FST Government during a one-on-one interview. 

Finance Minister, Dominic Perrottet, said this appointment bolsters the NSW government’s lead as a “nation-leader in digital service delivery.” He described Mr Rees as an outstanding candidate.

“As a government, we are determined to keep building our digital capability, because ultimately that results in better services for the people of NSW,” Perrottet said.

“Damon comes with an exceptional track record in the business world, so it’s exciting to have someone of his calibre to drive the government’s digital agenda,” he said.

The GCIDO will be the senior technology role within NSW government. This role reports directly to the Secretary of the Department of Finance, Services and Innovation, Martin Hoffman who joined the deparment in August 2015.

Individual agencies will retain Chief Information Officers. But all major ICT projects across government departments will require approval and oversight by the GCIDO.

As GCIDO, Rees is expected to advocate for digital adoption across the NSW public sector. This is defined by the long-term vision for ICT and adoption of digital technologies. This also implements the NSW Open Data Policy and improves integration across government agencies.

The new role entails oversight of major government ICT projects, while ensuring these are delivered on time, to budget, and deliver tangible benefits for agencies and citizens.

Hear from Minister Dominello and other key officials at the FST Government NSW being held Wednesday 18th May (Four Seasons) Sydney. Contact Shahida Sweeney at ShahidaS@fst.net.au for details. Or call 02 8484 0965