15 October 2010
A new Treasurer Designate has been appointed by the Treasury and Resources Minister.
Laura Rowley, the former Director of Resources for Shropshire Council, has been appointed after a recruitment process overseen by the Appointments Commission. During the past 3 years, Ms Rowley has played a significant role in implementing and developing a unitary authority council for Shropshire which brought the Shropshire County Council and 5 district councils into 1 organisation. This delivered almost £15 million of ongoing annual savings – equivalent to 12% on Shropshire’s council tax.
She has also been responsible for running major capital projects which have delivered significant improvements for social services and waste management, as well as planning a considerable project to provide elderly people with support so they can stay in their homes for longer. She also ran the council’s £930 million pension fund investments and administration.
Ms Rowley, who is a CIPFA qualified accountant and holds an MBA, has been employed in the public sector for most of her working career. Her previous experience includes senior financial posts at Birmingham City Council, the Audit Commission and London boroughs of Southwark and Brent.
She will join the States of Jersey on 1 November 2010 as Treasurer Designate and will work alongside the current team to develop an understanding of Treasury plans, before assuming the role of Treasurer of the States of Jersey in early 2011. During this period, the interim Finance Director, Hugh McGarel-Groves, will remain as Interim Treasurer, with full statutory powers and responsibilities.
Minister for Treasury and Resources, Senator Philip Ozouf, said “I’m very pleased that we have appointed someone of Ms Rowley’s calibre to join the Treasury. I have every confidence that she will continue to strengthen the Treasury and provide strong leadership for both the Treasury and Public Finances.”
Speaking about her appointment, Ms Rowley said “I was absolutely delighted to hear I had been offered this fantastic opportunity. The range and breadth of services provided by Jersey will be a professional and personal challenge for me but one I’m very much looking forward to.”
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