Cost of removing States CEO not forthcoming

Thursday 02 September 2021

The States of Guernsey has refused to respond to questions on the cost of removing and replacing Paul Whitfield as its CEO.

Mr Whitfield’s pay for 2020 is public information and was published in the States of Guernsey 2020 Accounts. In both 2020 and the preceding year, Mr Whitfield cost the States £180,587 and it’s unclear whether his replacement will now be paid the same.

Mark de Garis, the States’ Strategic Lead for Place and Policy, has taken over with immediate effect as an interim CEO while a full-time replacement is found. Express asked if his current pay of £154,139 will be topped up to the level of Mr Whitfield’s, but were told that the States will not be providing any comment as "those matters are between the employee and the employer."

Aside from “recognising a need for a change in senior leadership” - according to Policy & Resources President Deputy Peter Ferbrache - there are no more details forthcoming on why Mr Whitfield was removed from his post, whether he left of his own volition, or why he left immediately. 

Pictured: The Senior Officer salaries are published in the States of Guernsey Accounts.

Mr Whitfield was awarded an OBE for four decades of service to the public sector last year. He has been CEO of the States of Guernsey since 2013. 

His swift exit from that post raised questions among several deputies, including Gavin St Pier and Charles Parkinson, who both argued that the lack of answers on the issue was "disappointing".

“We must not forget that he has been the leader of the public service during the last 18 months, when the community has faced its most serious public health crisis in over a hundred years,” said Deputy St Pier.

Express asked why he was removed ‘with immediate effect’ and how long we can expect Mr de Garis to hold the post for, and we were told on both counts not to expect any further comment.

Pictured: Mr de Garis has stepped in as interim CEO for the States of Guernsey.

Express asked if Mr Whitfield was on a fixed term contract and, if so, when it was set to expire. We were told that this information is not publicly accessible.

Express asked how much Mr Whitfield’s departure has cost the States of Guernsey and were once again told that there would be no comment on the matter. With any use of public money, it should be expected that the accrued costs will be published in the 2021 Accounts, but on asking we received no confirmation of this.

It’s currently unknown whether the States will hire a full-time replacement from within the current Civil Service or from outside. Express asked for confirmation that the next States CEO will not receive a salary greater than that of Mr Whitfield’s, but were once again told there would be no comment.

In Jersey, for example, former CEO Charlie Parker received a salary of £250,00 and was offered residential qualifications for taking the role.