New head for independent appointment board

Thursday 28 August 2014

The former head of oversight for the entire UK civil service has been nominated as the new head of the independent board that handles top-level States appointments.

Chief Minister Ian Gorst has nominated Dame Janet Paraskeva as chairman of the Jersey Appointments Commission on a four-year term.

She is thought to be the first chairman of the body from outside of Jersey.

Dame Janet is a former teacher and school inspector who has held major posts within the UK public sector, including roles such as Civil Service Commissioner, chair of the Child Maintenance and Enforcement Commission and trustee of Common Purpose.

She has also served on the board of the Serious Organised Crime Agency and was appointed as a member of an inquiry into whether British Intelligence Officers were complicit in the torture of detaineees, including those from Guantanamo Bay.

Dame Janet has been nominated for a four-year term on the Appointments Commission, which handles senior appointments to States roles, as well as States-related roles. The commission works to ensure that all appointments are carried out in a fair and efficient way.