11 October 2018
The States of Jersey has today announced six senior leadership appointments across four departments, following an extensive recruitment process.
The new appointees are:
- Dr Megan Mathias – Group Director of Policy (Strategic Policy, Performance and Population
- Steve Skelton – Director of Strategy and Innovation (Strategic Policy, Performance and Population)
- Dr Anuschka Muller – Director of Corporate Performance and Planning (Strategic Policy, Performance and Population)
- Saboohi Famili – Director of Young People, Further Education, Skills and Learning (Children, Young People, Education and Skills)
- Kate Briden – Group Director of Public Protection and Law Enforcement (Justice and Home Affairs)
- Mike Thomas – Director of Risk and Audit (States Treasury and Exchequer).
Director General for Strategic Policy, Performance and Population, Tom Walker, said: “Megan, Steve and Anuschka will add strength and depth to policy, strategy and performance management, bringing more expertise to our organisation, as we implement the Government’s strategic priorities.”
Mark Rogers, Director General for Children, Young People, Education and Skills, said: “Saboohi will play a critical role in helping to shape the skills agenda to meet Jersey’s economic potential, as well as widening academic and vocational opportunities for young people and leading on our university ambitions.”
Julian Blazeby, Director General of Justice and Home Affairs, said: “Kate will bring invaluable senior experience from the administration of the UK justice system back home to Jersey, which will help enormously as she leads the implementation of a long-term strategy for integrated public protection, law enforcement and emergency planning to create a safe, just and fairer society.”
States Treasurer, Richard Bell, said: “Mike’s extensive experience of risk management and audit in both public and private sectors will significantly increase the States’ capability in this area, ensuring that we review, test and assure our processes, policies and governance, and drive continuous improvement and enhanced transparency across our organisation.”
Three of the new appointees will join in January, when their notice periods have expired, while the start dates for others are yet to be confirmed.
All six appointments followed the Jersey Appointments Commission code of conduct in fair and open competition, and appointments were made following a combination of face-to-face interviews and extensive and evidence-based technical and psychometric assessments. All successful candidates were appointed unanimously by the interview panels, which included subject matter experts and independent Jersey panel members.
The new appointments
Dr Megan Mathias currently leads the Wales Centre for Public Policy’s work for Welsh Government Ministers. In 2010 she co-founded and ran an independent research organisation – Kafka Brigade UK and Ireland – supporting the public sector to radically redesign and innovate services around the citizen, and has previously worked as a civil servant and consultant in the UK, USA and Middle East.
Steve Skelton currently leads a number of large service reform programmes for Stockport Council, and over the past eight years has overseen the delivery of a high-value digital-by-design programme, organisation transformation and public services reform. He has previously worked as a researcher and manager at the policy think-tank, Demos, the Electoral Reform Society and the Local Government Association.
Dr Anuschka Muller currently acts as the strategic lead for corporate performance frameworks, business planning, business intelligence and IT with Sussex Community NHS Foundation Trust. Prior to her current role, Anuschka worked for West Sussex County Council, where she created a new Performance, Planning and Intelligence Department to support evidence-based decision-making. She previously held a range of specialist and academic research positions in her native Germany.
Saboohi Famili was, until recently, the CEO and Principal of Epping Forest College, where she successfully developed the Epping Forest district and West Essex region post-16, vocational, apprenticeship, further and higher education provision to meet the region’s skills and economic development agenda. She previously served as CEO and Principal of the Guernsey College of Further Education, and Principal of Sutton College, in London, and has held a number of other senior education roles in London colleges.
Kate Briden, who was born and educated in Jersey, is currently Director of the Royal Courts of Justice Group for Her Majesty’s Courts and Tribunals Service. In her current role, she is responsible for the infrastructure for the administration of justice for the Court of Appeal and High Court of England and Wales at the Royal Courts of Justice, including the Rolls Building Business and Property Courts, Central London County Court and the Probate Service. She previously served as Private Secretary to the Lord Chief Justice.
Mike Thomas is currently Public Sector Assurance Director for Grant Thornton UK LLP, with responsibility for the strategic direction and leadership of the public sector audit team, risk management, business delivery and business development. He previously worked for the Audit Commission as the District Auditor for Cumbria, and in a range of senior audit roles in public and private organisations.
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