Silence over cost of removing States of Guernsey CEO

Thursday 02 September 2021

The States of Guernsey has refused to disclose the cost of removing its Chief Executive Officer.

Paul Whitfield's abrupt departure from the role he had held since 2013 was announced in an unusual press release issued by the States last Thursday evening.

In it, Mr Whitfield suggested he had decided to step down after a period of reflection, but a comment from Guernsey's Chief Minister, Deputy Peter Ferbrache, said a "need for a change in senior leadership” had been recognised, and that "action" had been taken to bring this about.

Long-serving civil servant Mark de Garis, the States’ Strategic Lead for Place and Policy, was asked to take over with immediate effect as Interim CEO while a permanent replacement is found.

Paul Whitfield’s pay for 2020 was £180,587, according to the States of Guernsey 2020 Accounts, and it’s unclear whether his replacement will now be paid the same.

Express asked if his current pay of £154,139 would be topped up to the level of Mr Whitfield’s, but was told that the States would not be providing any comment as "those matters are between the employee and the employer."

Furthermore, aside from the Chief Minister's comments, there has equally been silence around why Mr Whitfield was removed from his post, whether he left of his own volition, or why he left without serving a notice period, if indeed he had one. 

Pictured: The Senior Officer salaries were published in the 2020 States of Guernsey Accounts.

Many Guernsey people have praised Mr Whitfield for smoothly steering the public service during the challenges of the pandemic. Last year, he was awarded an OBE for four decades of service to the public sector. 

However, he had previously come under criticism for not delivering a promised programme of public service reform, which included a reduction of 200 posts out of the 1,600 civil servants employed by the States.

His swift exit from the top civil service post raised questions among several Guernsey Deputies, including the island's former Chief Minister, Deputy Gavin St. Pier, and Deputy Charles Parkinson, who both argued that the decision not to respond to media questions on the matter was "disappointing".

“We must not forget that he has been the leader of the public service during the last 18 months, when the community has faced its most serious public health crisis in over a hundred years,” said Deputy St. Pier.

Express asked why he was removed "with immediate effect" and how long Mr de Garis is expected to hold the post for, and was told on both counts not to expect any further comment.

Pictured: Mr De Garis has stepped in as interim CEO for the States of Guernsey.

Removing a senior Government employee before the natural end of a fixed term contract can be costly, and it's possible that Mr Whitfield might need to be paid up until the end of his contract, which was set to expire in March 2024, including pension remunerations. 

Express asked how much Mr Whitfield’s departure had cost the States of Guernsey, but was once again told that there would be no comment.