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STATES OF JERSEY
STATISTICS USERS GROUP: APPOINTMENT OF PANEL MEMBERS
Presented to the States on 21st January 2021 by the Chief Minister
STATES GREFFE
2021 R.9
REPORT
The Statistics Users Group (the "Group") is established in the Census and Statistics (Jersey) Law, 2018,1 as a body which is independent of government, with the primary function of overseeing the quality, relevance and integrity of statistics compiled by or on behalf of a public authority.
The Group does this by taking such expert advice it considers necessary, resources permitting, to consider the range of statistics provided; their relevance and appropriateness; the demands placed upon providers of information; the confidentiality of the information; the methodology by which statistics are compiled and their accuracy and reliability; the independence of the compilation and dissemination process from political or other inappropriate influence; and the form and procedures through which statistical information is disseminated.
The Group requires a breadth of members with a diversity of knowledge to discharge these and its other functions effectively, including a combination of new members bringing fresh ideas and experience, and established members with complementary experience and technical knowledge to provide continuity, and operates on an unpaid basis.
Following a recruitment exercise conducted in accordance with the Jersey Appointments Commission (JAC) guidelines, the JAC Commissioner chairing the selection panel made recommendations for a Chair and new Members to me in December 2020. The successful candidates were then offered 3-year terms, subject to final due diligence and the required notification to States Members.
As Chief Minister, I look forward to the Group working with government to support a strengthening of the Census and Statistics (Jersey) Law 2018 in 2021, and other legislation as needed, to ensure the independent production and publication of public authority statistics, free from political and government influence. I have been very supportive of these changes for quite some time.
The Chair and new Members proposed are as follows: Chair:
• Ms Gailina Liew has considerable board and public policy experience in a variety of different organisations, including Digital Jersey and the Jersey Data Protection Authority, as well as private sector, regulatory and trustee positions. She has also previously served as Vice-Chair at the Jersey Appointments Commission. Ms Liew moved to the Island in 2015 from Toronto, Canada, having pursued a scientific, legal and business career. She
1
holds undergraduate and graduate degrees in the fields of science, law, and business administration.
Her professional and academic background, and track record of contributing to our community across many different sectors, will bring a joined-up perspective and help promote the highest standards in corporate governance, enabling the Group to function effectively as a strong team, independent of government, to oversee the quality, relevance and integrity of statistics compiled by or on behalf of a public authority.
As Members:
• Ms Lianne Dacres is an experienced Project Manager with 16 years project experience delivering a range of high-profile projects across a range of sectors. Educated in Jersey, she has worked in the public and private sector in the United Kingdom and Jersey, including in local government in Leeds, the Health and Community Services Department in Jersey, and now the Jersey Financial Services Commission. She brings a strong understanding of how complex organisations and projects work, and the importance of good governance to the management and leadership of any organisation.
• Ms Emma-Louise Veitch has extensive experience within the customer experience, customer service, marketing, and events industry. She has worked in Jersey for 13 years for commercial enterprises, including within the financial services sector. Emma spent many of these years working for an online beauty retailer with global reach – owning and developing their customer insights and customer experience. She is now a self-employed consultant helping businesses online, and instore, understand and improve their own customer experiences. She also has experience locally of organising events, including supporting charitable organisations. Emma brings a strong understanding of the importance of understanding the needs of customers - which is crucial as the complexity of data collection and statistical production grows.
The appointment of Ms Liew as Chair follows the standing down of Mr Auberon Ashbrooke. He has served as acting Chair since November 2019 and will return to be a Member of the Group at his request.
Mr Ashbrooke is to be heartily thanked for stepping into the role, and his sterling service over the last 12 months during which time the profile and importance of our statistical output has increased considerably as part of our Island's response to the pandemic.
Accordingly, following the selection process, and having demonstrated the requisite strengths and experience, it is with pleasure to confirm that Ms Galina Liew has accepted the offer to assume the role of Chair of the Statistics User Group for a 3-year term. The new Members are also very much welcomed.
Existing Members:
For completeness, the other members of the User Group are listed below. They were either appointed in November 2019, or their terms were extended in November 2019. No extensions or renewals are being proposed at this juncture – the below is for information only:
• Mr Simon Lewis is a head of the Mathematics and Computing Faculty at Jersey College for Girls and has worked in senior and middle management teaching roles for many years – mainly in Jersey, following his move to the Island 20 years ago, but also in China. He obtained a Master's Degree in Law from Cambridge University. Mr Lewis has a familiarity with statistical concepts, and fluency and skill with numbers and their presentation, and will increase the group's focus on the importance of rigour in the compilation of statistics. (First appointed November 2019 for a 3-year term).
• Mr Daniel Pullinger, who has many years retail experience in the grocery sector, including as a store manager, and managing procurement and service improvement processes. He adds valuable commercial knowledge to the Group and increases the "voice of the small business user" around the table. (First appointed November 2019 for a 3-year term).
• Ms Moz Scott is an experienced legal professional, having worked in corporate tax law in the United Kingdom and commercial law and finance at senior levels in Jersey. She has subsequently been engaged in a range of freelance activities and voluntary work in our community, in particular, in the Parish of St Brelade, and as a former member of the Public Accounts Committee. She brings valuable legal experience and a strong understanding of public policy issues. (First appointed November 2019 for a 3-year term).
• Mr Auberon Ashbrooke lectures part time on degree courses at Highlands in Research and Operations. Following a Masters at Cambridge University in Economics, and as well as obtaining other higher education qualifications in management and financial management, he worked in various senior roles in the Ministry of Defence, including private secretary to the Deputy Chief of Defence Staff. (First appointed November 2016 and reappointed in November 2019 for a further 3 years).
• Mr Martin Delap is a self-employed IT and project management consultant. He has an academic background in Physics, with a Ph.D. in Condensed Matter Physics and worked in the United Kingdom following graduation as a Statistics and Research Officer for a public examination board, returning to Jersey in 1994 and working on a variety of projects in the public and private sector. (First appointed November 2016 and reappointed in November 2019 for a further 3 years)
• Ms Maria Pelin is a locum Pharmacist who moved to Jersey in 2012 following a career as a pharmacist in Romania. Ms Pelin speaks six
languages, and has Class A Masters in Pharmacy Degree from the University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Bucharest. (First appointed November 2016 and reappointed in November 2019 for a further 3 years).
• Mr. Graeme Marett is a Chartered Engineer and is currently self-employed, having taken early retirement from the Jersey Competition Regulatory Authority. Mr. Marett has many years of experience in local industry, and has served on the Users Group for a number of years, with a particular interest in maintaining and improving governance around statistical production and maintaining the independence of Statistics Jersey. (First appointed September 2012 and reappointed in November 2019 for a further 2 years).
Finally, Ms Amy Bryant has resigned from the User Group with immediate effect due to other commitments. She has been a Member since November 2016, and it is warmly thanked for her contributions to the group over the last 4 years.
Financial and Manpower Implications
The members are unpaid, and there are no other additional financial or manpower implications.