Penelope (Penny) Shurmer, Executive Officer of the Jersey Employment Trust (JET), will stand down from her role in November 2026 to focus on her health and
wellbeing.
JET is an independent charitable trust that provides a specialist employment service for Islanders who have a disability or long-term health condition. It delivers its work through three main areas: the Employment Service, the Acorn Training and Development Service, and its social enterprise, Acorn Enterprises (Acorn Reuse, plant nursery and Woodshack).
Announcing her decision, Mrs Shurmer said: “It has been a privilege to lead JET and Acorn Enterprises and to work alongside such a dedicated team, our clients, our Ambassadors and our many partners across the Island. Together we have helped hundreds of Islanders secure and sustain meaningful employment, and we have shown the real difference that acceptance, adaptation and good leadership can make. I am grateful also for the public support for JET and Acorn.”
Mrs Shurmer has led JET since 2022. She joined the charity after 12 years with the Government of Jersey, where she developed and led the Trackers apprentice
programme and brought together Skills Jersey as its Head of Service, bringing to the role extensive knowledge of the Island’s labour market, employment and skills landscape.
Dan Perkins, Acting Chair of the Board of Trustees, paid tribute to Mrs Shurmer: “On behalf of the Board of Trustees, I want to thank Penny for her outstanding dedication and commitment to JET. She has led the organisation through a demanding period and has been a passionate advocate for Islanders who have a
disability or long-term health condition. We wish her every success for the future.”
Pictured: JET executive officer Penny Shurmer, pictured in 2025 showing the Lieutenant Governor His Excellency Vice Admiral Jerry Kyd CBE and his Chief of Staff Major Justin Oldridge around Acorn Woodshack
