South Aust gets new public sector boss

Former defence sector executive Jim McDowell has been named head of South Australia's public sector.

Former BAE Systems chief executive Jim McDowell has been appointed to head up South Australia's Department of Premier and Cabinet.

Premier Steven Marshall described Mr McDowell as a talented leader with decades of international business experience in industries critical to South Australia's future prosperity.

"Mr McDowell is well placed to guide the South Australian public sector as we seek to take full advantage of the Commonwealth's naval shipbuilding program and other defence contracts based in South Australia," Mr Marshall said on Thursday.