Wednesday 11 December 2013
Paul Whitfield has been appointed as the new Chief Executive of the States of Guernsey. Paul is currently Chief Officer of the Home Department, a post that he has held since 2008. Staff and Deputies are being informed of Paul's appointment this afternoon.
In a message sent to staff and Deputies today, Paul said:
"I am immensely proud to have been appointed to the post of Chief Executive, and look forward to taking it up in due course. The responsibility of leading the public sector and supporting the government as Chief Executive is a unique one, and I am delighted that the Chief Minister and Policy Council have entrusted me with it.
"I have relished working with colleagues across the States, changing the way we deliver public services in order to meet the changing needs of those who access our services. The challenge is to ensure that we continue to change, and work effectively and smartly, but remain true to our values of public service. It is a challenge I am looking forward to tackling with all of you, and I hope to meet as many of you as I can in the coming weeks and months.
"I also want to take this opportunity to thank Mike for his support - he will be a very tough act to follow. I am pleased he will be around to lead the handover, and wish him all the very best for the future when he does step down as Chief Executive. I also want to thank my team at the Home Department for all that they have done to support me."
Mike Brown, the current Chief Executive, has added:
"I am very pleased for Paul that he has been successful in his application, and I know that there were some very strong applicants for the post. Paul has demonstrated strong leadership skills, sound judgement and strategic vision as Chief Officer at the Home Department, and I am sure that he will be a successful Chief Executive. He certainly has my full support, and I know that he will have the support of his colleagues."
The Chief Minister, Deputy Peter Harwood, who chaired the interview panel, said:
"I am delighted to confirm Paul as the new Chief Executive. We have many challenges ahead, and I know that Paul's strong leadership skills will help the public sector and indeed Guernsey meet many of those challenges. I look forward to working with him, and I wish him well."
Paul was born and educated in Guernsey, and from 1979-88 he served in HM Armed Forces. From 1988-2006 he worked at the Home Office in the UK, both in central government roles and in leadership roles in a number of different prisons. He returned to Guernsey in 2006, working at Guernsey Prison, before being appointed Chief Officer of the Home Department in 2008.
Paul's appointment was confirmed following a two-day interview process on 9-10 December. There were 24 applications for the post, which was open to internal and external applications. Five candidates were short-listed for interview, two of whom were internal and three of whom were external.
The date on which he will take over the post from current Chief Executive Mike Brown is yet to be confirmed.
ENDS