Jim McDowell to step down as head of Dept of Premier and Cabinet, replaced by BankSA boss Nick Reade
A high-profile business CEO will take on the job as SA’s most senior public servant after the Premier’s top aide resigned.
SA News
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The man hand-picked by Steven Marshall to run the Department of Premier and Cabinet will step down from the $614,000-a-year role at the end of the month.
Mr Marshall on Wednesday announced Jim McDowell, pictured, had decided to finish up in the job on November 27 to return to the private sector.
He has been appointed chief of defence contractor Nova Systems, owned by South Australia’s chief entrepreneur, Jim Whalley.
As department chief, Mr McDowell this year headed the state’s powerful Transition Committee, tasked with guiding the state through the coronavirus pandemic.
At the time of his appointment in July 2018, Mr McDowell said he had not applied for a job in “a long time”, but had instead been “press-ganged” into accepting the role by Mr Marshall.
Nick Reade, who has been Bank SA boss since March 2014, will step in as department chief but not until February.
He has signed a five-year contract worth an estimated $625,000 a year.
Mr Marshall paid tribute to former University of South Australia chancellor Mr McDowell, who was responsible for setting up BAE Systems Australia headquarters in SA during his time with the global defence giant.
“Mr McDowell has been instrumental in leading SA and the public sector throughout the COVID-19 pandemic and has provided significant guidance to the sector since 2018,” Mr Marshall said.
He said Mr Reade brought with him 30 years of experience in financial services.
“He is a proud South Australian who, like thousands of others pursued employment opportunities interstate before returning to our great state,” he said.
“His career in financial services has spanned 30 years where – among other things – he has had responsibility for small-business banking nationally and a focus on digital transformation and innovation.”
Mr Reade said he was a passionate South Australian and looked forward to bringing his skills in areas such as digital transformation to bear in his new role.
“I’ve really enjoyed making a contribution in corporate life, but also as part of the community at large,” he said.
“It's a different kind of role but … I’m confident that the skills and experiences I bring will be a positive.’’
Nova Systems, one of SA’s biggest firms, was started by Mr Whalley, a former fighter pilot, in 2000.
It now directly employs about 650 people across Australia, Asia and Europe.