NSW nabs Pia Andrews as new digital govt lead

The NSW government has nabbed open government and data evangelist Pia Andrews as its new executive director of digital government.

Pia Andrews

The Department of Finance, Services and Innovation today announced the appointment to bolster its already far-reaching digital transformation efforts.

Andrews will take up the position - which replaces the role of executive director of policy and innovation - from 24 September, where she will drive government-wide policy under whole-of-government chief information and digital officer Greg Wells.

In a blog post, she said she would be "responsible for the all-of-government policy and innovation for ICT, digital, open, information, data, emerging tech and transformation", including a service innovation lab [Digital NSW Acceleration Lab]".

Andrews has extensive experience leading change across the both the federal and state governments in Australia - and more recently New Zealand.

She has spent the last year and half as the service integration lead at NZ’s Department of Internal Affairs, where she steered a cross-agency service innovation lab for the government.

Before that she worked a number of stints at financial intelligence agency AUSTRAC and the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet, as well as being the director of Gov 2.0 at the Department of Finance.

Department of Finance Secretary Martin Hoffman said he was thrilled to bring Andrews across the ditch to join the department’s “world class digital team”. 

“Pia is well respected worldwide and brings decades of experience in open data, open government, digital transformation and government as an API,” he said.

“She brings a unique and effective blend of systems thinking, technical creativity and vision.

“Her experience, passion and drive are a perfect fit for the role of Executive Director for Digital Government and I look forward to seeing Pia and her team support greater collaboration, innovation and digital transformation across the NSW Government for the benefit of our communities and economy.”