26 June 2023
Dr Andrew McLaughlin has been appointed interim Chief Executive Officer
of the Government of Jersey. The appointment was made at the conclusion
of the recruitment process set out by the Chief Minister and overseen by
the Jersey Appointments Commission.
Mr McLaughlin will take up the role on 5 September 2023 following a
structured handover with the outgoing CEO, Suzanne Wylie. He will work
under a secondment and fixed term agreement between the Government of
Jersey and his current employer, NatWest, until May 2024.
Suzanne Wylie is formally leaving her post in July. Temporary leadership
arrangements will be in place in August with Tom Walker, one of the
Assistant Chief Executives, being designated as the Principal Accountable
Officer.
Mr McLaughlin is currently CEO of Commercial and Institutional, Non-Ring-Fenced Bank at NatWest in London, prior to which he was CEO of Royal Bank of
Scotland International in Jersey.
He has held several advisory and non-executive positions during his career including
Chair of Prince’s Trust Scotland, CBI Economics and Tax Committee, member of the
Fiscal Policy Panel for the States of Guernsey and Visiting Professor at the Centre for
Globalisation at the University of Nottingham.
He holds a first-class degree in
Economics and Politics and a PhD in Public Policy.
He has lived in Jersey since May 2015 and was a regular visitor to the Island from
1986 when he worked as a student in the Island’s hospitality sector.
The Chief Minister and Chair of the States Employment Board, Deputy Kristina
Moore said: “I am delighted that such a highly qualified and local candidate as
Andrew has stepped up to lead Jersey’s public service.
“Andrew brings with him decades of strategic leadership experience across a number
of sectors, and his personal and professional experience will be of direct benefit to the
Government as we look to tackle the cost-of-living crisis and chart Jersey into a much
more sustainable, prosperous, and community-focused future.
“We have been extremely fortunate with the value-based leadership, skill, and
competence of Suzanne Wylie and I am sure Andrew will build on these foundations.
States employees do amazing work, day in and day out, and Andrew will lead them in
an inspiring and rewarding manner. Andrew will bring experience and drive to the
process of increasing performance and professionalism in the public service, moving
large parts of the civil service into a new corporate headquarters, and providing better
customer service to taxpayers.”
The Chair of the Jersey Appointments Commission, Chris Stephenson, said: “The
role of the Jersey Appointments Commission is set out in the law. Two Commissioners
participated in the selection process and were satisfied that both the legal
requirements and the guidance for a full, open, and fair competition were met with
the appointment being made on merit.”
Andrew McLaughlin said: “It is a privilege to have the opportunity to serve the
community of Jersey for this next period. I will do my best to support the Chief
Minister and her Government as they deliver their biggest priorities.
“I hope my leadership experience brings something new to the executive team and
that I, in turn, can learn from colleagues who have dedicated their career to public
service.”
gov.je