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One of Jersey’s highest paid civil servants recruited as part of the 'OneGov' regime is set to retire at the end of the year – with the necessity of her £150k-a-year role to be reviewed before a decision is made about whether to hire a replacement or not.
The Government confirmed this week that Strategic Director of Assurance and Risk, Catherine Madden, will retire in December. She takes with her a pension pot of £1.6m.
Ms Madden is one of the last remaining senior leaders appointed during former Government CEO Charlie Parker's 'OneGov' overhaul of the public service.
Her retirement announcement comes amid “major concerns” over the resignation of the Government’s top HR professional Mark Grimley, who was also appointed during Mr Parker's tenure, at a time when as many as one in three civil servants have said they would "leave their job tomorrow if they had another to go to".
Pictured: Catherine Madden was hired by former Government CEO Charlie Parker as part of his 'OneGov' overhaul in July 2018.
Ms Madden has been in post for over five years, hired as Mr Parker's Chief of Staff in July 2018.
She joined the Government of Jersey after more than 20 years working for the Liverpool City Council, where Mr Parker was once responsible for regeneration projects.
When Kristina Moore was appointed Chief Minister last year, one of her priorities was unpicking many of the structural changes that took place as a result of 'OneGov' – with the creation of a Government ‘Cabinet Office’ a key part of the plan.
Ms Madden's title changed to Strategic Director of Assurance and Risk 10 months ago as the Cabinet Office was set up.
Last year's States' Annual Accounts revealed that she has built up a pension pot of at least £1.6m – however, this includes money that Ms Madden transferred into her own pension pot in 2019.
Pictured: The States' 2022 Annual Accounts revealed that Ms Madden has built up a pension pot worth over £1.6m during her public service.
Despite being one of the most highly paid roles in the civil service, the Government confirmed that the necessity of the role with be reviewed "prior to any decisions being made to replace the post or not".
Connetable Andy Jehan, Vice-Chair of the States Employment Board, said: “We are grateful to Catherine Madden for all the hard work and dedication she’s shown as a member of the public service in Jersey.
"We wish her well for the future and hope she enjoys her well-earned retirement.
“A review of the role of Strategic Director, Assurance and Risk will take place prior to any decisions being made to replace the post or not.”
Numerous individuals who took on top roles during Mr Parker's tenure have since left the organisation, including:
Catherine Madden, Chief of Staff – retired, November 2023
Mark Grimley, Group Director of People and Corporate Services - resigned, November 2023
Caroline Landon, Director General for Health and Community Services - resigned, March 2023
John Quinn, Chief Operating Officer - voluntary redundancy, January 2023
Julian Blazeby, Director General for Justice and Home Affairs - resigned, July 2021
Mark Rogers, Director General for Children, Young People, Education and Skills - resigned, September 2020
Maria Benbow, Commercial Director - remains Group Director of Commercial Services
Anna Daroy, Chief Operating Officer - resigned, September 2018
Stephen Hardwick, Director of Communications - left March 2020, once permanent successor was appointed
Jacquie McGeachie, Organisational Transformation Consultant - resigned, May 2019
Camilla Black, Strategic Finance Review Consultant - became Group Director of Technology Procurement until September 2021
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