IoD challenge to new States CEO

Wednesday 25 October 2017

The Chairman of the Jersey Institute of Directors "believes the new States CEO, Charlie Parker has a real opportunity to improve services and importantly, staff morale by genuinely engaging with his excellent colleagues."

Elsewhere in his blog, Chris Clark writes: “We look forward to seeing Mr Parker’s 100 day plan (or equivalent) and the benchmarking measures that his team are no doubt starting to collect, so that we can see the tangible benefits Islanders will expect from a new CEO leading the largest employer in the Island."

Earlier this month, it was announced Mr Parker had put together a “specialist transition team” of four very senior external appointments from the UK who’d be earning up to £1,350 a day each and would be employed until next March or possibly even June, making an estimated combined bill of almost £0.75m.

Unite the Union reacted angrily to the news of the appointments, particularly criticising the amount of money the States was spending at a time when many union workers are worried about keeping their jobs and facing pay freezes or cuts.

Mr Clark admits he also had mixed emotions when he read the news – positive that “an experienced CEO with a track record of major Public Sector change accolades for improving Education levels and public service had been appointed”, but tempered with concern regarding the “princely sum” of the team. Nevertheless, he believes there is now an opportunity to introduce changes that will benefit the whole island.

He finishes his blog by issuing Mr Parker with a challenge – to provide a progress report to industry at the IoD’s inaugural mid-year review in March next year, just two months ahead of the General Election.