Kate Lorimer-Ward commenced as CEO of Local Land Services in August 2024. Kate is a committed senior executive in the NSW public service who continually seeks to deliver value to the communities that she serves. Kate has worked across a diverse range of portfolios, with extensive management experience. She has a real passion for the agricultural sector, founded in more than 20 years' experience in the public sector in rural and regional NSW. Her leadership journey includes 16 years at the former Department of Primary Industries, including serving as the CEO of the Rural Assistance Authority from 2018 to 2019 and the Deputy Director General Agriculture from 2017 to 2024.

Having begun her career in the Soil Conservation Service, later moving to the Catchment Management Authority, Kate holds a personal focus and desire to service the rural, regional and remote communities within NSW through creative leadership, innovative program creation, design, and implementation.

Kate is not only a dedicated public servant, she also partners in a farming enterprise near Orange, serves as a Director on the Board for the Cooperative Research Centre for High Performing Soils, and currently acts as a Trustee for several trusts oversighted by the NSW government. Additionally, she is involved in several inter-jurisdictional committees and is a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Kate has a Bachelor of Arts majoring in soils and social geography, an Executive Masters in Public Administration and a Post Graduate Certificate in Climate Change for Primary Industries.