A SENIOR officer at a charity which provides training and employment support for Islanders with disabilities and long-term health as announced she is stepping down.
Penelope Shurmer has led the Jersey Employment Trust as its executive officer since 2022, having previously spent 12 years working for the government. She is due to step down in November “to focus on her health and wellbeing”, according to the charity.
Announcing her departure, the charity praised her work supporting 516 client referrals in 2025 alone – sourcing 114 new jobs and 52 new work experience placements.
Mrs Shurmer said it had 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”.
She added: “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 oversaw the creation of an ambassador programme for the charity as well as the growth of its in-house “commercial and social venture” Acorn Enterprises to generating £1.3 million in sales in 2025.
Acting chair of the Board of Trustees Dan Perkins said: “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.”
