Queensland Natural Resources and Mines Minister Andrew Cripps said Heyward, who is leaving his position as chief executive of the Queensland Health Renewal Taskforce, brings both public and private sector experience.

“Dr Heyward has a strong background in strategic human resources and workforce planning and has led a number of organisations through significant periods of change," Cripps said.

“His expertise in organisational and performance management will guide the Department of Natural Resources and Mines as it continues to play its role in building Queensland’s key economic pillars of agriculture and resources.

Cripps paid tribute to the work of former DNRM Director-General Dan Hunt, who will take up the position of Director-General in the Department of Energy and Water Supply.

“Mr Hunt has considerable knowledge and experience in this complicated area of public policy, as a former Director-General of the former Department of Mines and Energy and I have no doubt he will steer his new department with the same steady hand he has shown at DNRM," he said.

“He has been a great support to me as Minister for Natural Resources and our leadership of this department has been a genuine partnership.”