Gov CEO’s final day set for March

Wednesday 27 January 2021

The Government CEO’s final working day in Jersey has been confirmed, as his interim successor gets set to sign their contract this week.

Government officials confirmed to Express that Charlie Parker's agreed date of departure was 31 March "to allow a handover with the interim CEO."

Interviews to appoint his successor have now concluded and an announcement is planned for expected this week, Express understands.

Mr Parker announced he would be stepping down in November in the wake of a bitter row over his decision to accept a £50,000-a-year non-executive director role at UK real estate firm New River.

Pictured: Mr Parker's departure was prompted by a bitter row over his decision to accept a £50,000-a-year non-executive director role at UK real estate firm New River.

The second job came to light in October, with the Government defending the role at the time as having been approved by the Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister.  

However, it later emerged that the CEO had not followed the proper process for getting permission for the second job - which should have been granted by the States Employment Board, as per the terms of his contract, which Express revealed in 2018.

It also surfaced that the Deputy Chief Minister was also against it, having expressed "reservations and concerns as to how the appointment might be received among some quarters in Jersey.” 

Despite declining to answer to a Scrutiny Panel over who signed off the erroneous statement to the media, a Freedom of Information request later discovered that it was actually Mr Parker himself who had done so. 

Email chains unearthed by Express also disproved a pledge that Mr Parker would only work on his second role in his spare time. 

Express revealed last Friday that Mr Parker had said he would be looking for more “non-executive opportunities” after leaving the Government, which he said would mark the start of his “retirement”. 

Pictured: Mr Parker announced his "retirement" in an article in the Local Government Chronicle. 

In his first public comments since stepping down, Mr Parker told the Local Government Chronicle: “After a career of nearly 40 years, the majority of which has been in the public sector, I am looking forward to both my retirement and new non-executive opportunities after April.

“I have enjoyed the numerous challenges and successes over the years, and I wish Jersey well in the future.” 

Responding to the announcement, a Government spokesperson said it was “reasonable” to allow employees to advertise their availability for new roles once a departure date has been agreed.

They added that standard clauses in senior employees’ contracts include restrictions on certain types of employment for up to 12 months as well as a ‘no poaching’ clause to prevent the loss of key staff.