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The Government CEO's fixed-term contract is due to come to an end next month – but whether the island's most senior civil servant will be continuing in post next year is still yet to be confirmed.
Pressed on the matter by Deputy Jonathan Renouf, Chief Minister Lyndon Farnham said there "is nothing further to report at this stage" regarding Dr Andrew McLaughlin's contract.
Deputy Renouf had also asked whether any changes to Dr McLaughlin's contract or terms and conditions were anticipated, but Deputy Farnham did not respond to this point.
When concerns were raised about the stability of such a short-term contract at the time, the Chief Minister said he hoped Dr McLaughlin would remain in post “as long as possible” and at least until the next election in mid-2026.
Pictured: Andrew McLaughlin was appointed as the substantive Government CEO from 1 July 2024 on a fixed-term six-month contract.
Dr McLaughlin was appointed Interim Government CEO in September last year on secondment from NatWest bank, where he co-led its ‘Commercial and Institutional’ division.
His initial nine-month contract came to end in May 2024.
Express later revealed that over £60,000 was spent on the recruitment process for a permanent Government CEO which was abandoned after just two months.
That process was never restarted, and Dr McLaughlin was appointed as the substantive Government CEO from 1 July 2024.
His initial contract was fixed-term for six months, with an option to extend if both the Government and the CEO agree.
Pictured: “I fully expect the CEO to remain in post until after the next election," said Chief Minister Lyndon Farnham.
But the substantive CEO's first six months in office is due to end on the 31 December 2024.
With around six weeks to go, no update has been provided as to whether Dr McLaughlin will remain in post.
Last week, Deputy Farnham said: "There is nothing further to report at this stage, but we will keep States Members informed."
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