A SCRUTINY panel chair has raised “major concerns” over the resignation of the government’s HR lead, who has been at the helm of many of the recent initiatives to improve public-sector staff employment and working culture.
During a recent Corporate Services Scrutiny Panel hearing, the Chief Minister revealed that the chief people and transformation officer, Mark Grimley, had resigned.
She said: “It is always a sad moment when people choose to do different things, but the situation that the chief people and transformation officer leaves behind is a strong team that is well able to step up and support in most areas of that work while we seek another person to take on the role.”
Mr Grimley has been in post for over four years, appointed as group director of people and corporate services by former government chief executive Charlie Parker in June 2019.
His title changed to chief people and transformation officer ten months ago during the creation of the government’s cabinet office, but his role remained essentially the same.
Following the Scrutiny hearing, Corporate Services Scrutiny Panel chair Deputy Sam Mézec said that “progress has been made” with public-sector staff employment and working culture, “in particular with more constructive engagement with the trade unions and staff, and in efforts to reduce interim personnel, fill key-worker roles and reduce turnover”.
However, Deputy Mézec raised concerns that many of these improvements were led by Mr Grimley, who has now resigned.
He said: “We remain concerned that there is still a long way to go, as shown by the evidence our panel has received in submissions from people on the front line.
“One major concern we have is that many of these improvements were led by Mark Grimley, chief people and transformation officer, who has now resigned, and we aren’t aware of any strategy to replace him.”
Following questioning by the JEP, the government said: “Chief people and transformation officer Mark Grimley confirmed in June this year that he would be leaving his post at the end of 2023. This is for personal reasons.
“Lesley Darwin, associate director, Employment Experience, Reward and Relations, will become acting chief people and transformation officer with responsibility for the States Employment Board.
“She will be supported by Sarah Goodwin, associate director and head of organisational development who will become interim deputy chief people and transformation officer.
“The SEB have expressed their gratitude for the support, advice, and guidance that Mark has given them since their election and wish him well in his future endeavours.”
