Debate over States CEO role hots up as business lobby group steps in

Tuesday 17 November 2015

Next month’s debate about opening up the States’ chief executive’s £210,000-per-year job to an open recruitment process has taken a twist after the Institute of Directors appeared to back the move and side against the Council of Ministers.

The Institute of Directors has issued a carefully-worded statement that appears to back change at the top – they say that Jersey needs “a real focus on making sure we have the very best people in the top jobs”.

Deputy Tracey Vallois – who last week quit her Assistant Treasury Minister role over what she described as “dysfunctional leadership” at the top of the public sector – is taking a proposition to the States to cancel the renewal of John Richardson’s contract, and conduct an open recruitment to find a CEO.

It has been more than a decade since the job was filled through an open recruitment – Mr Richardson was given the job on an interim basis after the departure of Bill Ogley in 2011, and he was given the job on a fixed-term basis after an internal recruitment process the following year, and that contract has now been renewed, again without an open recruitment.

On both occasions, the independent Appointments Commission backed the contract renewals – despite their own rules on recruiting a States Chief Executive requiring open advertising and a selection panel that includes a UK Local Authority Chief Executive.

IoD chairman Wendy Dorman has intervened in the debate with a statement that – although it does not explicitly support Deputy Vallois’ proposal – comes close to backing her up.

The statement cites the departures of the Deputy and States cuts adviser Kevin Keen and says that the business community is concerned about the States cost cutting and reform process.

It says: “The IoD has thrown its support behind the plans of the Treasury Minister, Senator Alan MacLean, to bring States spending under control and balance income and expenditure.

“We note with concern firstly the frustrations expressed by Kevin Keen after the end of his temporary contract to advise the States on how to achieve efficiencies and cost savings, and now the resignation of Deputy Vallois and the proposition she has lodged with regard to the re-appointment of the Chief Executive Officer. 

“Jersey is facing some very significant challenges, with an ageing population, increased regulatory burdens and stiff competition for business.

“We simply cannot afford not to curb States expenditure, not as the only solution but as part of a package of measures which in combination will ensure Jersey remains a vibrant and attractive place to live.

“It’s no easy task to make the transformational changes required, including a cultural shift, and this will take strong leadership and communication skills.

“The IoD would like to see a real focus on making sure we have the very best people in the top jobs.  Let’s hope that the frustrations expressed by Kevin and Deputy Vallois are publicly addressed, and that we see strong leadership both from our Council of Ministers and our senior civil servants."