Committed Christian and former banker Mike Baird has emerged as the big winner in the spectacular demise of Barry O'Farrell, becoming the 44th premier of NSW.
The 46-year-old father of three is a surfing buddy of Prime Minister Tony Abbott, once studied to become an Anglican minister and represents the northern beaches electorate of Manly.
Liberal colleagues will hope he has a more action-oriented premiership than Mr O'Farrell, who was often criticised for dragging his feet on big decisions.
Mr Baird gave up a lucrative career in corporate banking for politics, entering NSW parliament in 2007.
After heading up HSBC's corporate and institutional banking for Australia and New Zealand following stints at NAB and Deutsche Bank, Mr Baird followed in the footsteps of his father and former deputy leader of the NSW Liberal Party, Bruce Baird.
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Bruce Baird also served as a federal MP in John Howard's government and was regarded as one of a few moderate voices in the Liberal Party.
In his first speech to parliament, Mr Baird commended his father for "visiting every immigration camp across Australia" and speaking out about the Howard government's asylum seeker policies.
He also touched on his Christian faith, saying he saw in his father and mother Judy "a life lived in Jesus".
Before entering politics, Mr Baird said his Christian values rather than the Church's ideology would guide him in a career in politics.
Just over a year after winning his seat, he was elevated to the shadow ministry and later rose through the ranks to win the treasury portfolio.
Since then, he has been credited with being one of the strongest O'Farrell government ministers, delivering budgets which have kept both the left and right factions of the Liberal Party happy.
He has spearheaded the government's aggressive push to privatise state assets, securing the long-term leasing of Port Botany and Port Kembla and selling off power stations.
With his elevation to the state's top job, Mr Baird may now look to privatise the state's electricity assets - something Mr O'Farrell has been reluctant to do this term. The move would free up billions of dollars to fund infrastructure projects.
Mr Baird leans to the Left of the Liberal Party but is known as an affable political player.
He has a strong pro-life record, voting against embryonic stem cell research and does not support gay marriage.
