Former attorney-general Mark Speakman says he is "determined" to win the next state election after this morning being voted as the New South Wales Liberal Party leader.
He won the partyroom vote 22 to 13 over former planning minister Anthony Roberts.
Former finance minister Damien Tudehope has been elected leader of the opposition in the upper house, deputy leader of the opposition in the upper house.
The Liberal Party will seek to change the rules to allow members from both houses to be elected as the party's deputy leader, paving the way for Ms Ward to take on the role.
It is expected any change should be finalised by May 8.
Before the election, females made up 28 per cent of the Liberal party room representation, but had since risen to 42 per cent.
Mr Speakman said he was determined to lead the party in the right direction, and hold the government to account.
"My style as attorney-general was to be constructive, collaborative, but ultimately activist," he said.
"And that will be my approach in opposition. We won't oppose for opposition's sake, where we agree with the government, we will give them credit for what they do."
The new Liberal leader said he ultimately intended to lead the party to a 2027 election win.
"I'm not here to be a placeholder, I'm not here to keep the seat warm for someone else, I am here to win the next election and that's why I am determined to do."
He confirmed he would not be running in any "hypothetical" federal by-election in Cook to replace former prime minister Scott Morrison.
Earlier, Mr Speakman said he would be running in a "united team" with Mr Tudehope and Ms Ward.
Mr Roberts was the only other candidate to publicly put his hand up for the job.
The party has been without a leader for almost four weeks after former premier Dominic Perrottet stood down following the Coalition's election loss last month.
Mr Speakman is from the party's dominant moderate faction, while Mr Roberts leans to the right, and had signalled his intention to reform the party.
