THE government has appointed a senior civil servant as Jersey’s next chief executive following an 18-month drive to identify and develop potential candidates from within the public service.
Paul Wylie, who is currently chief officer of the Cabinet Office and interim deputy chief executive, will take over from Andrew McLaughlin on 1 October.
Mr Wylie’s appointment was endorsed by the States Employment Board last week after a selection process involving external assessments, multiple interviews and scrutiny by the independent Jersey Appointments Commission.
It comes after it emerged in February that the government had begun searching for Mr McLaughlin’s successor internally before considering an external recruitment exercise.
At the time, Chief Minister Lyndon Farnham said a “number of people” within government had been identified as having the potential to develop into the Island’s most senior civil-service role.
Mr Wylie has worked for the Government of Jersey since moving to the Island in February 2021, initially as group director of policy within the Cabinet Office.
Senator Farnham said it was “particularly pleasing” that the government had been able to appoint locally rather than recruit from off-Island.
“Paul has already been working with this Council of Ministers and the previous government alongside the current chief executive officer, so his appointment provides continuity and stability,” he added.
Mr McLaughlin said one of the objectives set for him when Senator Farnham became Chief Minister in 2024 had been to establish stronger succession planning across the public sector.
“We now have a clear strategy to invest in and develop our own staff so that they can compete at the highest standards,” the outgoing chief executive said.
“I am very pleased, therefore, to be passing the role to Paul, who has ably led the transition to the new government as part of the succession plan.”
Before moving to Jersey, Mr Wylie held several senior UK public-sector positions, including director of strategy for the Mayor of London’s Office for Policing and Crime, and director of Immigration Enforcement, where he led almost 1,000 officers. He was also private secretary to the UK Home Secretary.
Mr Wylie said: “The creation of a new government means this is the right time to step up into this important role.
“I am honoured to have an opportunity to lead a public service of talented people who recognise the issues facing our Island and are determined to make a difference.”
