Jersey government Chief Executive to be scrutinised over second role

A senior politician says her committee plans to look into the appointment of Jersey's top civil servant to a separate role.

It was revealed this week that the government's Chief Executive Charlie Parker has been appointed to a non-executive director role with NewRiver REIT PLC which deals in property assets across the UK.

The most recent accounts for the company show employees in that role received a basic fee of £50,000, plus expenses as well as additional fees if they take on extra duties

Deputy Inna Gardiner, who now chairs the Public Accounts Committee, says she plans to question Mr Parker at the next quarterly public hearing on 30 November.

She says it will be 'interesting to hear from the Chief Executive' about the situation.

Deputy Gardiner says there are unanswered questions around claims that the role would help shape the island's recovery from the pandemic through access to research.

She also queried references to Mr Parker's work in developing 'a major infrastructure vehicle for funding the Island’s infrastructure and regeneration plans’, as this work has not yet been presented to the States Assembly or her Committee.

Mr Parker's appointment to the second role was approved by both the Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister, ITV News can confirm. He receives a £250,000 per year salary paid by the Government.

A government spokesperson said there are no contractual restrictions which present him from taking on such a role and that it will be declared in the Government’s Annual Report.