Former ABC boss Mark Scott to head NSW Education Department

ABC’s former managing director Mark Scott is to be made the Secretary of the NSW Department of Education.

Mark Scott is the new head of the NSW Education Department. Picture: Adam Yip

FORMER ABC managing director Mark Scott is the new Secretary of the NSW Department of Education.

Premier Mike Baird announced the new position this afternoon.

“Mark’s appointment takes our reinvigoration of the senior executive of the NSW public service a step further,” Mr Baird said.

“Along with promoting outstanding young talent from within the service, we have sought out the best and brightest from the corporate world.

“Like Rob Whitfield, who took the reins at Treasury last year, Mark is ready, willing and able to bring the fruits of his immense experience to the benefit of the entire NSW community.”

Mr Scott told a press conference in Sydney today he was honoured to take on the role.

“I couldn’t think of anything more significant and worthwhile to invest my time in,” he said.

“It is a wonderful opportunity and something I could not let pass by.”

He said the role of education chief presented “significant challenges and great opportunities”.

Mr Baird admitted he knows Mr Scott and his family well, but insisted it was a merit-based appointment.

Education Minister Adrian Piccoli, Mark Scott and Premier Mike Baird at the announcement today. Picture: Adam Yip

Mr Baird’s sister was hired by the ABC during Mr Scott’s tenure as head of the public broadcaster.

Mr Baird said Mr Scott was appointed after an independent process and his interview went extremely well.

Education Minister Adrian Piccoli said: “I look forward to working with Mark to continue delivering the most comprehensive set of reforms of school education in a century.

“Our focus remains on improving student results and delivering the skills base needed to grow the NSW economy.”

Mr Scott, who worked for ABC for 10 years, left his position a month ago.

He was chief of staff to Education Minister Virginia Chadwick in the Greiner Liberal government and was a senior adviser to education minister Terry Metherell.

Mark Scott is looking forward to taking on the “important opportunity” of working for the NSW Education Department. Picture: Renee Nowytarger/The Australian

Prior to taking on the top role at the national broadcaster, Mr Scott worked for more than a decade at Fairfax Media, most recently as the group’s editorial director.

In an statement released shortly before the press conference, Mr Scott said: “On leaving the ABC, I was asked what I planned to do next.

“I can think of no more important opportunity than working alongside the teachers of NSW and the staff of the Department to improve teaching and learning in our schools.”