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.
Andrew McLaughlin will take up the role on 5th 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.
Andrew 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.”
