NSW appoints first govt chief information and digital officer

The New South Wales Government has appointed Damon Rees as its first government chief information and digital officer (GCIDO) to help lead the state’s digital agenda.

Rees was previously chief digital officer with Macquarie Bank, having earlier served as the CTO. He has also worked as interim CIO at Woolworths, in addition to being Westpac’s former head of integrated delivery.

The GCIDO will be the senior technology role within NSW Government, reporting to the Secretary of the Department of Finance, Services and Innovation.

In the new role, Rees will be responsible for advocating digital adoption across the NSW public sector, defining the long-term vision for ICT and digital technologies, implementing the NSW Open Data Policy and improving integration across government agencies.

Individual agencies will retain their own CIOs, but all major ICT projects across government departments will require approval and oversight by the GCIDO, ensuring they are delivered on time, on budget, and deliver benefits for agencies and citizens.

Rees will commence in the GCIDO role from 30 May.

In announcing the new role, Minister for Finance, Services and Property, Dominic Perrottet, described 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,” he 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.”

Minister for Innovation and Better Regulation, Victor Dominello, added in the announcement that Rees’ whole-of-government oversight would 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,” Minister Dominello said.