Chief Minister takes over financial services

Tuesday 31 January 2017

Jersey's Chief Minister has confirmed he is to personally oversee the financial services industry, after Senator Philip Ozouf resigned following the scandal over the Jersey Innovation Fund.

Senator Ozouf stepped down while a series of reviews in to the operation of the Fund are conducted, as he was politically responsible for it, from at least January 2016 onwards; the Comptroller and Auditor General - who wrote a damning report into the operation of the Fund - says he was responsible for even longer.

In the States Assembly yesterday, Senator Ian Gorst confirmed that he will take over Senator Ozouf's responsibility for the financial services industry; Deputy Scott Wickenden will take over as being responsible for Digital Jersey, since he also oversees the e-government program; and the Assistant Chief Minister, Senator Paul Routier, will become responsible for competition and innovation policy. This includes responsibility for the intellectual property framework, broadcasting and electronic communications, Freedom of Information and Data Protection.

Senator Ian Gorst said “It has not been possible to find one person with the particular set of skills, expertise and experience of Senator Ozouf so his four areas of responsibility have been allocated across my department.

“Digital policy is a good match for Deputy Wickenden’s experience and existing responsibility for e-government. Before standing for election in the States Assembly Deputy Wickenden worked in various positions in IT.

“Senator Routier has been an Assistant Chief Minister since 2008, having previously served as Social Security Minister. He has taken on a variety of roles during his 20 plus years in Jersey politics, including responsibility for telecommunications under the States committee system.

“Senator Routier’s background in retail business and his position on the Housing and Work Advisory Group have given him insight into employment and commerce in Jersey. I am confident he will bring his commercial experience and clear sighted understanding to bear on the complex issues of competition and innovation.”