NSW Breakfast with Charlie Sukkar, CIO, NSW Department of Education

Charlie is a seasoned technology executive and business leader, currently overseeing one of the largest teams of IT and digital learning specialists in the Southern Hemisphere.

Since his appointment as Chief Information Officer for the NSW Department of Education in October 2023, Charlie has led the organisation IT directorate through a significant period of transformation. He is responsible for aligning the department’s technology and cyber security architecture with its strategic vision ensuring it meets the evolving needs of teachers and students across NSW.

This role reflects Charlie’s deep passion for driving technology-driven change and harnessing the transformative power of emerging technologies to inspire educators and learners, empower staff, and bring the future to life in schools and offices across the state.

Before joining the department, Charlie held senior leadership roles in the construction and materials sector.

At Fletcher Building Australia, he led one of the company’s largest digital and cultural transformations, partnering with local and global experts to grow digital commerce to around 40% of total sales while achieving more than 85% employee satisfaction and an average digital NPS of 35 across key business units.

Earlier at CSR Limited, Charlie spearheaded the delivery of world-class digital platforms and fostered innovation across the company’s technology portfolio, helping modernise the building and construction industry in Australia and New Zealand. This included the design, construction and implementation of the world’s first online banking portal for tradespeople in the building materials and construction sector.

Charlie is a fervent advocate for the IoT & generative AI as key drivers of the Fourth Industrial Revolution where people live, work and play in real time to reshape industries and deliver value across society. His vision is grounded in a practical understanding of the opportunities and challenges emerging technologies present, particularly in preparing young people for the dynamic jobs of the future.

He is an avid follower of trends in social media, mobility, IoT and big data, and is a keen advocate of open systems, cloud computing and on-demand infrastructure.

On a personal note, Charlie believes in the generosity of the human spirit – and that each of us has the potential to make a meaningful difference in this world.