Interim Gov CEO to get two-year contract extension

Monday 10 June 2024

The Interim Government CEO could be reappointed next month for a further two years, according to the Chief Minister.

Dr Andrew McLaughlin, whose nine-month contract as Interim CEO came to an end last month, is set to return at the beginning of July.

Speaking to the Corporate Services Scrutiny Panel last week, Deputy Lyndon Farnham said: “We very much hope that he will be starting on a new contract in the not-too-distant future but...we are just waiting for all the details to be confirmed.”

Pictured: Dr Andrew McLaughlin was appointed Interim Government CEO on secondment from NatWest bank, where he co-leads its ‘Commercial and Institutional’ division.

He added that he would like to see Dr McLaughlin continue for the remainder of the current Government’s term and into that of its successor because it was important for the island’s stability and continuity.

Currently Dr McLaughlin has returned to his employer NatWest International, from which he was on secondment.

Assistant CEO Tom Walker is leading the public sector on a temporary basis as Acting CEO until 30 June 2024.

It comes after the process opened in November 2023 to find a permanent successor for Dr McLaughlin was stopped in January following the vote of no confidence in former Chief Minister Kristina Moore.

The closing date for applications was due to be in mid-January, with shortlisting and panel interviews taking place the following month. It was then anticipated that the successful recruit would start in June.

Following questions from Express, it emerged that the recruitment process for a permanent Government CEO still hasn't officially been restarted. No detail was provided on if or when this will occur.

Pictured: Chief Minister Lyndon Farnham also told the Scrutiny Panel that there could be redundancies in the Cabinet Office.

The Chief Minister also told the Scrutiny Panel last week that there could be redundancies in the Cabinet Office in a bid to ensure best value for the taxpayer.

But the body – established by previous Chief Minister Kristina Moore “to coordinate the work of Government and strengthen Government decision-making” – will be retained, although it might be given a name change as part of an ongoing review, Deputy Farnham said.

The Chief Minister told the panel that the Government was considering returning some of the functions of the Cabinet Office to departments “because they could be delivered more efficiently there”.

Pressed for details by panel member Deputy Lucy Stephenson, Deputy Farnham replied: “There are a number of areas which I’d rather not go into detail now because it could involve staff changes, staff transfers and it could involve redundancies.

"We want to make sure in line with our Common Strategic Plan...that our resources are targeted in the right areas.

"Where we feel there is over-resourcing in some areas will will adjust them to make sure that the provision is redistributed.”