Sir Derek Myers has been appointed to lead the independent panel which will review the Island’s response to the Covid-19 pandemic.
He will carry out an objective, impartial and independent analysis of the actions undertaken by the Island of Jersey in response to the Covid-19 pandemic and provide recommendations and guidelines based on lessons learned for the management of any future pandemic or comparable disruptive event.
Sir Derek was the Lead Commissioner for Rotherham Council from 2015 to 2017. He was appointed by the UK Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government following the Jay Inquiry into child exploitation in that borough.
Before this, Sir Derek was a non-executive director at the UK Department of Health, and from 2011 to 2013 was joint Chief Executive of two London Borough councils, Kensington and Chelsea and Hammersmith and Fulham.
Sir Derek will be supported by Professor Margaret Rae who is the President of the Faculty of Public Health. This is the body that sets standards for public health specialists in the UK. Professor Rae is a specialist in health inequality and the wider detriments to health.
A third panel member will be appointed shortly.
The public will have the opportunity to meet the panel in private to provide evidence and feedback. Details of how to register your interest will be announced in the coming days.
The panel’s report will be delivered by 29th July 2022. Once the States Assembly has reconvened following its adjournment for summer recess, a briefing about the report will be arranged for all States Members. The report will then be published in full and a public press conference will then take place in early autumn.
Sir Derek said: “I look forward to progressing this review and supporting Jersey becoming more resilient to the potential impacts of future pandemics or other similarly disruptive events.
“Alongside receiving written submissions and interviewing those who took part in managing the Jersey’s response, I will want the panel to focus on hearing directly from Islanders. Lockdowns, restrictions and mitigations affected us all differently, even in a small place like Jersey.
“I will also take advice on the machinery of government in Jersey from the Law Officers Department”.
The Chair of the Jersey Appointments Commission was consulted on the appointment.
