States Chief's pension pot increases to nearly £3 million

Tuesday 13 June 2017

Jersey’s top civil servant, and highest earner in the States, saw his pension pot rocket by an additional £135,000 last year, taking it to just under £3 million in total – the largest increase of any government worker.

The figures were published in the 2016 States’ accounts, and show that outgoing Chief Executive John Richardson (pictured), who has announced plans to retire, awaits a £2,993,000 pension in retirement, up from £2,846,000 in December 2015 and more than double the total in 2010.

Meanwhile, the Island’s second highest States earner, Health and Social Services Chief Officer Julie Garbutt had her nearly £2 million pension pot topped up by £69,000.

Other pension pots hitting the over the million mark by the end of 2016 included Judicial Greffier Paul Matthews (£1.932) and Chief Probation Officer Chief Probation Officer Brian Heath (£1.387m).

Outgoing Police Chief Mike Bowron saw the second largest increase of £96,000 contributing to his £401,000 pension pot in December 2016, followed by John Rogers, Department for Infrastructure Chief Officer, who gained an extra £89,000, bringing his total to £543,000.

Pictured: Police Chief Mike Bowron had the second largest pension pot increase behind Chief Executive John Richardson. 

The figures come following comments last year from the Treasury Minister Alan Maclean that the current pensions system, which saw 16% of all States contributions spent on public sector pensions, was “unsustainable.”

In 2014, changes were announced to make the system more affordable but these reforms will not be brought in until January 2019, while existing members of staff who are within seven years of retirement can remain on the old scheme.

Five States Officers were found to have enjoyed salary increases in the tens of thousands, elevating all of their annual salaries above £120,000: Andy Scate (Environment Department and Lead for Public Sector Reform), Tom Walker (Community and Constitutional Affairs), Mike Bowron (Police Chief), John Rogers (Infrastructure) and Paul Matthews (Judicial Greffier). 

Of these, Mr Walker and Mr Matthews benefited from the largest year-on-year rise of around £40,000 each.

Meanwhile, other public sector workers were afforded a pay rise of just 1% and a one-off payment of £400 amid an ongoing battle for salary increases in line with the increasing cost of living following controversial cuts across the sector.

The Accounts also revealed details of the pay-off for retired Economic Development Chief Officer Mike King, who resigned in the wake of a scandal over flights expenses. Mr King, who spent around £13,000 flying business class with a colleague to South Africa, was awarded payment in lieu of notice amounting to £88,805.

Pictured: Former Chief Executive Mike King parted company with the States with £88,805 after he resigned.

Also detailed in the report was gender diversity of the States of Jersey, which showed that the Island’s most senior positions were overwhelmingly dominated by men, even though the remaining workforce was 63.3% female.

Figures showed that 87.5% of Accounting Officers roles and 60% of Senior Manager roles were held by males.