Damien Walker was appointed Chief Executive of the Department of the Premier and Cabinet in April 2022.

He is a proud South Australian, who has returned to the South Australian Public Sector following nearly 12 years in Queensland.

Damien is an experienced executive who has broad background in strategic planning, industry development and public policy.

He was formerly Director-General of the Department of State Development, Infrastructure, Local Government and Planning, in the Queensland Government. In his various Director-General roles, he drove economic growth and job creation and successfully led Queensland's delivery of the 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games. Immediately prior to returning to South Australia, he led the Queensland Government’s flood recovery efforts.

His background also includes senior executive roles in the South Australian Government in infrastructure planning and delivery, investment facilitation, contract management and reform implementation, including working on the construction of the new Royal Adelaide Hospital, the Glenside campus redevelopment and the SAHMRI building.

Damien has also served on a number of boards in the areas of economic development, trade and investment.

Above all, Damien is passionate about gender equity in the workplace and the prevention of domestic and family violence. He is also driven to deliver initiatives to create opportunities for First Nations people.

Damien holds  a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Planning, and further academic qualifications in property and planning.

Damien is married to Tamara and has three young daughters.