Interim Finance Director on a 6 month contract appointed as Acting Treasurer of the States and recruitment process

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WRITTEN QUESTION TO THE MINISTER FOR TREASURY AND RESOURCES BY THE DEPUTY OF ST. JOHN

ANSWER TO BE TABLED ON TUESDAY 23rd MARCH 2010

Question

"Following  the announcement  that the interim Finance  Director who was on a  6  month contract has been appointed as Acting Treasurer of the States would the Minister inform members -

1. w  hether the position was advertised locally and why it was necessary to recruit the postholder from outside the Island given that Jersey is an international finance centre in its own right with many highly qualified persons who are used to handling billions not millions of pounds? Was the local pool of labour not able to produce a person with the right qualifications to undertake the role?

2 w h y the current Deputy Treasurer was not appointed to fill this post on an interim basis?

3. w  hat the job description is for the post to which the Acting Treasurer was first appointed, what the cost to the Island is for the 6 months contract, what the hours of work are and whether the postholder is resident in Jersey?

Following the distribution to members of details of some of the Acting Treasurer's CV would the Minister circulate his full CV to all members?"

Answer

1. Therearelocal senior level peopleexperiencedin the finance industryas well as very capablestaff currently working in the public service.The role of Interim FinanceDirectorwas specifically set up to lead changes in Financial Management across the States of Jersey. The Treasurer and Treasury & Resources Minister therefore required strategic level experience in a large,complex organisation and breadth ofknowledgeofpublic sector finance,which is very differentinnature to private sector financial services. In addition to this, previous experience of delivering change in a similar environment was essential. This interim appointment wasmade through anagency with experience of recruiting senior interim staff for this type ofposition.
2. The Deputy Treasurer wasnot appointed as acting Treasurer ashe already has a very significantworkload and releasing him from these duties would have caused further major disruption in the Treasury.
3. The requirement toappoint an Interim FinanceDirectorwasmadebythe Treasurer, tosupport him in bringing in changes previously identified in a report by the CAG and subsequently supportedin a paper presented to theTreasuryandResources Minister. Thepurpose of the role was to lead the implementation of the restructuring of financial management within the States of Jersey, under the direction of the Treasurer. The successful candidate was appointed as Interim Finance Director following interviews conducted by the Treasurer, Chief Executive Officer of the States and the Treasury and Resources Minister. The post holder is currently resident Monday - Friday in Jersey. The approximate costs including travel and subsistence are expected to beintheregion of £130,000.
4. Under the Data Protection Act, individuals are afforded protection regardinghowpersonal information about them is held andused. A summary of the Interim Treasurer's experience wasmade available toall States Members on 12th March.