University of Sydney appoints Josh Roberts as Chief Information and Digital Officer
Roberts will take up the role in September after leading the Australian university’s Digital Sydney transformation program
Josh Roberts will become the University of Sydney’s Chief Information and Digital Officer in September.
The University of Sydney has appointed Josh Roberts as its new Chief Information and Digital Officer, placing the current head of its Digital Sydney transformation program in charge of the Australian institution’s wider technology and digital direction from September.
Nicole Gower, Vice-President Operations at the University of Sydney, announced the appointment on LinkedIn and said his work had included shaping the digital experience provided to students and staff.
“Josh brings almost 20 years of leadership experience across digital, data and ICT in higher education and government,” Gower wrote. “In his current role as Executive Director, Digital Sydney at the University of Sydney, he has led our flagship digital transformation program and played a key role in shaping the digital experience of our students and staff in support of our ‘Sydney in 2032’ ambitions.”
Roberts has held two senior digital positions at the university since joining in November 2023. Before taking responsibility for Digital Sydney in December 2025, he served as Executive Director, Digital Operations.
His earlier role covered teams working across infrastructure, cloud, networks, identity, integration, applications, the student management system and testing, alongside digital transformation linked to the university’s digital strategy.
Before joining the University of Sydney, Roberts spent more than 10 years at the New South Wales Department of Education. His positions there included Acting Chief Information and Data Officer, Group Director of Infrastructure, Network and Cloud Services, and Group Director of Strategy and Architecture.
That background brings school system and higher education technology experience into the university’s senior digital leadership. At the department, his work included strategies and enterprise architecture intended to support educational outcomes, as well as infrastructure and service development.
Gower also cited Roberts’ recent iTNews Education Technology Leader Award and his ability to combine technology, people and working practices.
“His leadership has helped drive transformational change across the University, delivering lasting benefits for our community,” she wrote.
Roberts will succeed Kerry Holling, who has served as Interim Chief Information and Digital Officer for the past year.
