NSW state-owned icare is introducing a risk and governance executive position as part of a leadership revamp announced by CEO Richard Harding, who took up the top role last month.

Mr Harding says a number of executives will also be leaving the group in changes to reduce complexity and duplication, while also simplifying the business as it improves performance.

“I am introducing a smaller more accountable leadership team to bring in new thinking and focus the organisation on what it was set up to do,” Mr Harding said last week.

Group Executives Rob Craig and Sara Kahlau will be departing “over the forthcoming period” while Don Ferguson, who served as interim CEO, will leave by the end of August after assisting with the transition.

Mr Harding says his focus areas are improving risk and governance; improving performance, particularly getting injured workers back to work and reducing internal costs; and driving an accountable culture, particularly for the leaders.

“Importantly, we will more closely align the organisation with the different schemes we manage to ensure injured workers, road users, businesses and the NSW Government receive services from those who understand them best,” he says.

The Group Executive for Risk and Governance will have a dual reporting line to the CEO and to the board. The position will be advertised shortly.