Health Chief Officer to step down for medical reasons

Tuesday 24 September 2024

The Chief Officer of Health is stepping down for medical reasons – and is due to be replaced by the Assistant Government CEO.

In a statement sent to staff and the media, Health officials announced that Chris Bown is due to have a medical procedure from 3 October.

Tom Walker, the Government’s Assistant CEO and the current Chief Officer for People, Policy and Digital, will take over as interim Chief Officer for Health.

This comes after discussions with Health Minister Tom Binet and the Health Advisory Board.

Pictured: Chris Bown was appointed as Interim Chief Officer of Health in March 2023 on a twelve-month fixed-term contract.

Mr Bown will support Mr Walker "with strategic advice should he be fit enough to resume duties before his contract end date of March 2025", according to the statement.

The Government will "shortly" be advertising for an interim Chief Officer to take over from Mr Walker.

"This role is open to colleagues from across Government and its network of arm’s length organisations," the statement added.

Mr Bown took up a 12-month contract as the department's most senior leader in April 2024 – just three months after he was announced as the leader of a 'Change Team' recruited to drive improvements in Health at a cost of £200,000 per quarter. 

As a health professional, Mr Bown brought more than 35 years’ experience in senior board-level leadership roles, including time spent in the Health Service in the Bahamas.

Mr Walker has worked for the Government of Jersey for the past 15 years as Chief Officer of various department including community, constitutional affairs, and external relations.

Prior to that, he worked in business relations.

Pictured: Tom Walker is the Government’s Assistant CEO and the current Chief Officer for People, Policy and Digital.

Announcing the change, Health Minister Tom Binet, said: “I want to thank Chris Bown for his work in managing the Health and Community Services department, particularly on the necessary turnaround as we focus on the overall structure of the island’s health and care system, with the principal intention of creating a more integrated, seamless system.

“I look forward to working with Tom Walker, a highly experienced Chief Officer and civil servant, and the wider management team on making these important changes a reality.”  

Government CEO Andrew McLaughlin added: “Chris has been an invaluable support to me during his tenure and a treasured member of the executive team.

“His responsibilities will be handed over in an orderly fashion to Tom Walker. We all wish him a speedy recovery.” 

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