‘I leave with much regret’ – outgoing chief executive's resignation letter published

Suzanne Wylie Picture: DAVID FERGUSON. (35507075)

THE government’s outgoing chief executive has said it was ‘never my intention to leave after such a short period’, in a resignation letter from 14 March published yesterday by the government.

In the letter addressed to Chief Minister Kristina Moore, Suzanne Wylie said it was with ‘much regret and genuine sadness’ that she would be leaving the Island’s civil service after being in post for just over a year.

Mrs Wylie added: ‘There is much political debate on the role of the CEO and my departure will also open the opportunity to assess if it should be changed and to what degree. I appreciate that the search will need to start now for my replacement, and I assure you that I will do all I can to support a new CEO coming into post.

‘It was never my intention to leave after such a short period. However, my circumstances are now such that I intend to take up a role back in Northern Ireland,’ wrote Mrs Wylie.

‘This will mean I am closer to my family at this point in our lives.’

In her letter, Mrs Wylie said: ‘It has been an honour to serve as the government CEO for the last 14 months, and I am very grateful to all my colleagues and the wider Island networks who supported me in this challenging role and who are so devoted to improving the lives of Islanders and ensuring that Jersey can thrive.

Suzanne Wylie Picture: DAVID FERGUSON. (35507078)

‘They and the Island will always be close to my heart.

‘Over the period of my notice, I will continue to work just as hard as I have since I arrived in Jersey, over a year ago, ensuring that the public service continues to serve, improve and support Islanders, including those who have been so deeply affected by the most recent tragedies.’

Deputy Moore responded with an acceptance letter on 23 March – more than week after receiving Mrs Wylie’s resignation and a day after the government publicly announced the departure.

The Chief Minister said she accepted the resignation with an ‘equal sense of regret and sadness’ and added that they had ‘already begun to work together to assess the role of CEO going forward’.

Deputy Moore said she had seen ‘first hand’ Mrs Wylie’s ‘dedication to public service and service improvements’.

‘You have had a particularly challenging role and I am grateful for your leadership within the public service, particularly through the tragic events that the Island has experienced in recent months,’ she said.

Responding to Mrs Wylie’s preference to leave sooner than the six-month notice period, Deputy Moore suggested a last day of service of 31 July, with the month of July used for ‘any urgent or handover items’ as the interim chief executive ‘settles in’.

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