States CEO's NewRiver Salary Going To 'Range Of Charities'

Thursday, 29 October 2020 16:08

The Chief Minister has released a statement setting out the reasons for why he says the Chief Executive's non-executive director role with a UK real estate investment firm 'doesn't conflict with his role as the head of Jersey's public sector'.

It was revealed earlier this week that Charlie Parker had taken up the role with NewRiver - prompting questions over how appropriate is given we're still in a pandemic, the magnitude of his current job, and a possible conflict of interest.

Senator John Le Fondre says the Chief Executive's new role entails four half-day board meetings a year and one strategy day - which are done online and during annual leave. There are also half-year and full-year results meetings, which we're told will take place in Mr. Parker's spare time.

He says NewRiver has no operational business interests in Jersey - and if this were to change, Mr. Parker has agreed to talk to him about how any potential conflicts of interest would be resolved.

Senator Le Fondre says the Chief Executive has agreed not to receive a salary for that work - with the money going instead to a range of charities, including some in Jersey.

"I want to reassure Islanders that as Chief Minister, I hold senior civil servants to account and expect the highest standards of integrity and commitment to Jersey throughout the public sector."

The government says a further statement 'will be released later'.