JOBS FOR NSW BOARD AND CEO ANNOUNCED

Minister for Industry, Resources and Energy, Anthony Roberts and Minister for Regional Development, John Barilaro, today announced the Jobs for NSW Board and its Chief Executive Officer.

Jobs for NSW, chaired by David Thodey, has secured some of the best business minds in the country and will assist the government to attract, develop and grow new and existing businesses across the state.

“The Board will advise the NSW Government on the best use of the $190 million Jobs for NSW fund and assist in delivering our commitment to create 150,000 new jobs for the state,” Mr Roberts said.

“We want NSW to be a global leader when it comes to innovative policies to drive job creation and maximise the state’s resources, talent and potential.”

Minister for Regional Development, John Barilaro, said a minimum 30 per cent of the Jobs for NSW fund is dedicated to regional NSW to ensure we continue investing in our local communities.

“Our investment in new jobs is about creating more opportunities and making the lives of families, businesses and communities better,” Mr Barilaro said.

The Jobs for NSW Board has the following members:

·         David Thodey (Chair), former CEO of Telstra and Chair of the CSIRO Board;

·         Mike Cannon-Brookes, co-founder and CEO of Atlassian Software Systems – a major multi-billion dollar software firm which started in Sydney in 2002.

·         Jane Cay, founder of Cooma-based online fashion business Birdsnest and a founding board member of the National Online Retailers Association;

·         Dr Chris Roberts, who until August 2015 was the CEO and president of Cochlear Limited – a global market leader in implantable devices for hearing impaired;

·         Helen Zimmerman, Group General Manager of Government & Stakeholder Relations at Navitas Ltd – a global education provider;

·         Blair Comley, Secretary, NSW Department of Premier and Cabinet;  and

·         Simon Smith, Secretary, NSW Department of Industry.

Jobs for NSW Chair, David Thodey, said the Board was delighted that Karen Borg, who was most recently the Asia-Pacific President of medical equipment manufacturer ResMed, had agreed to be the Jobs for NSW Chief Executive Officer.

“Karen brings a unique mix of skills to this high profile role, with broad international experience and business acumen. This is important for the people of NSW,”

Mr Thodey said.