Media statement
Today I confirm that Sarah Cruickshank has left the role of Chief of Staff in the Premier’s Office to return to the Department of Premier & Cabinet (DPC).
An experienced senior public servant from both the Commonwealth and NSW Governments, Sarah took a secondment from DPC to take on the role of Chief of Staff when I first became Premier in January 2017.
I am incredibly grateful for her leadership of my Office, and her advice and support to my colleagues and I over the past three years. She has been an outstanding Chief of Staff and has much to be proud of from her time in this role. She has always put our citizens at the heart and centre of all that we do and her leadership has been a wonderful example to so many.
Whilst I am disappointed she is departing, I understand her desire to resume her public service career. She has my full support and I know the people of NSW will be well served by her.
She will be leaving at the end of February to take up a Deputy Secretary role within the Department of Premier & Cabinet.
Neil Harley will become my new Chief of Staff at the end of this month. Neil brings a wealth of experience to the role. He has worked within my Office since mid-2017 and was previously Chief of Staff to a Federal Government Minister.