The appointment involves ensuring existing and emerging technologies are effectively aligned with agency and whole-of-government objectives. Baird will retain his current position at Deutsche Bank.

Baird has more than 30 years experience in ICT in industries such as financial services, research, telecommunications and hardware. He has held senior roles at BT Global Services, Credit Suisse, Grant Thornton and Toshiba International Corporation.

NSW Minister for Finance and Services, Greg Pearce, announced the appointment, saying he was looking forward to his contribution to the direction of ICT in NSW.

"Of the almost 200 applicants to the Industry Advisory Panel, John stood out for his experience in working in change management and implementing and adopting ICT solutions that align with business goals," he said in a statement.

Baird started his career at the CSIRO as an experimental scientist developing computing technologies and has postgraduate qualifications in computing.