Sydney, Australia - March 08, 2020: Wynyard railway station with travellers waiting for arrival of train
Transport for NSW has appointed two former leaders from NBN Co to fill key positions in its technology division, following a restructure last year. Marc Ashworth has been named as the new chief data officer, while Easwaren Sivagnanam will serve as the executive director of architecture, strategy, and partnering. Both roles were created to enhance the agency’s technological capabilities and report directly to group Chief Technology Officer Jason Tuendemann.
Ashworth announced his new role in a post on LinkedIn, a detail confirmed by iTnews. He joins Transport for NSW after over six-and-a-half years at NBN Co, where he held various data-focused positions, most recently as the general manager of data science and data product engineering. Prior to his tenure at NBN Co, Ashworth accumulated significant experience in data roles at the Commonwealth Bank of Australia, notably serving as head of data engineering.
In his new position, Ashworth is expected to provide “strategic leadership across our data and information environment.” According to a spokesperson from Transport for NSW, his responsibilities will encompass enterprise-wide data strategy, policy, engineering, architecture, platforms, and operations. This includes overseeing aspects such as data management, data exchange, data storage, and the implementation of artificial intelligence, machine learning, and deep learning capabilities.
Sivagnanam’s appointment follows closely behind Ashworth’s transition, marking a continued shift in leadership within the agency. Previously, he served as NBN Co’s general manager of architecture for data, AI, corporate, and infrastructure. In his LinkedIn announcement, Sivagnanam reflected on his time at NBN Co, stating, “it has been a great journey with NBN Co over the last three-and-a-half years, completing data and infrastructure transformation programs, and establishing its generative AI technology framework and capability.” He expressed enthusiasm about his new role, emphasizing his commitment to improving the state of New South Wales, saying, “I am now looking forward to bringing my experience to TfNSW, serving and giving back to the state of NSW, whilst making it a better place to live, work and visit.”
The integration of these leaders into Transport for NSW signifies a strategic move to enhance the agency’s data capabilities, reflecting broader trends in the transport sector towards data-driven decision-making and technological innovation. With both Ashworth and Sivagnanam on board, the agency aims to strengthen its operational efficiency and improve the overall experience for its customers and workforce alike.
