Community Relations Trust: appointment of Chairman.

STATES OF JERSEY

COMMUNITY RELATIONS TRUST: APPOINTMENT OF CHAIRMAN

Presented to the States on 1st October 2015 by the Minister for Home Affairs

STATES GREFFE

2015   Price code: A  R.112

2 REPORT

The Constitution of the Jersey Community Relations Trust, sets out the aim of the Trust as follows –

"To seek to eliminate discrimination on any ground including, but not limited to, grounds of colour, race, nationality or ethnic or national origins, gender or sexual orientation, disability or age, by promoting good relations between all members  of  society,  and  seeking  to  achieve  equality  of  treatment  and opportunity within our community".

The  Objectives are  further  specified in  paragraph 3  of  the Trust  Constitution,  as follows –

1. To encourage mutual respect among all people in the Island.
2. To promote equality of treatment and opportunity.
3. To encourage  and  facilitate  partnerships  which  enhance  social harmony.
4. To identify areas where discrimination arises, while promoting and encouraging existing and future initiatives to tackle it.
5. To promote education in the community about the aim of the Trust.
6. To promote recognition and acceptance of cultural diversity.
7. To promote training in furtherance of the aim of the Trust and the development thereof.
8. To provide information and advice and facilitate initiatives concerning discrimination.
9. To sponsor and support research in furtherance of the aim of the Trust.
10. To take measures to counter discriminatory behaviour, attitudes, and policies.
11. To monitor these objectives.

Appointment of Chairman

Paragraph 5.1 of the Trust Constitution requires the Minister for Home Affairs to give at least 15 days' notice to the States of her intention to appoint a Chairman, who is not a member of the States, to the Community Relations Trust. This is in line with the States' decision to change the procedure for most States-made appointments (P.205/2009).

The  tenure  of  Dr.  Elena  Moran,  who  has  been  the  Chairman  of  the  Trust  since 22nd October 2008, ended on 18th August 2015. I would like to record my thanks to Dr. Moran for all that she has contributed to the Trust over the years.

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None of the eligible members of the Trust wanted to put themselves forward for consideration  for  appointment  as  the  Chairman,  so  the  Trust  approached  a  local recruitment company and asked them to identify suitable candidates.

Eight potential candidates were identified, but only 2 had the time to commit to being the Chairman of the Trust. Advocate Helen Ruelle was the only person to complete and submit  an  application.  Because  of  the  quality  of  her  Curriculum  Vitae  and  her commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion, she was interviewed by the Executive Director of the Trust and offered the position. The appointment is supported by the members of the Trust.

The Minister is happy that Advocate Ruelle is committed to the objectives of the Trust, and wishes to appoint her for a 4 year period in line with the Trust's Constitution.

Advocate Ruelle is a locally qualified Advocate. Employment

2012 – present

Partner at Mourant Ozannes, heading up the Jersey employment, competition and data protection team. She advises on a wide range of Jersey law issues, focussing particularly on advice to local businesses on Control of Housing and Work Law issues, general commercial  work  and  corporate  affairs,  mergers  and  acquisitions,  and  general commercial litigation.

2007 – 2008

Senior Associate at Mourant Ozannes

2001 – 2007

Associate of Mourant Ozannes

Professional appointments

In 2009, Advocate Ruelle was appointed as a member of the Employment Forum, which is a statutory body set up to consult and make recommendations to the Minister for Social Security on all aspects of employment law. She was appointed as Chairman of the Forum by the Minister in 2011, having acted as Deputy Chairman since 2010.

Advocate Ruelle is a member of the Employment Lawyers' Association and the Institute of Directors.

Interests

Advocate Ruelle currently coaches the under-7s at the Jersey Rugby Club Academy.

R.112/2015