St Helena : St. Helena - Arrival of Chief Secretary
Submitted by Saint Helena Herald (Juanita Brock) 28.10.2007 (Article Archived on 11.11.2007)
Arriving aboard the RMS St Helena on Saturday was the new Chief Secretary Martin Hallam, who is accompanied by his wife Margaret.
Press Release
Arrival of Chief Secretary
Arriving aboard the RMS St Helena on Saturday was the new Chief Secretary Martin Hallam, who is accompanied by his wife Margaret. He has a 3-year contract with the St Helena Government in the important leadership position of Head of the Public Service.
Earlier today he said: “Margaret and I are delighted to be on the Island and I am very much looking forward to the work that lies ahead. My first impression is that St Helena is a very special place, although I do recognise that challenges lie ahead. This is an interesting time for St Helena and her people, and I shall do all I can in helping take the Island forward towards sustainable self-sufficiency.”
He added “I sense everyone knows that this is a very important time for the Island and many will look back on the next few years as a time when real opportunities presented themselves. I shall do everything I can to help you grasp these and realise the Island’s potential as a wonderful place to live.”
As Chief Secretary, Martin will be responsible for leading significant change on the Island guided by the Government’s soon to be published Sustainable Development Plan. Amongst the challenges he realises must be addressed is the need for the Government service to help transform the economy to tackle the very real social problems which are arising from depopulation and overseas working.
Martin will also be ensuring that Government Departments are effectively co-ordinated and managed to help deliver effective strategic planning, public and private sector development, and the policy implementation frameworks needed to encourage investment and tourism.
He is very conscious that much needs to be done if the Island is to capitalize on the development of air access – undoubtedly one of the most significant milestones in St Helena’s progress towards self-sufficiency. He said “There is much that the Government Service can do to support the development of tourism and enterprise across the private sector, but delivering value for money plays an essential part in delivering a first class public service.”
During his first days in office, Martin is meeting with the Executive and Legislative Councils as well as Heads of Department and key stakeholders from other non-government and private sector organisations. This will include the National Economic Forum, the St Helena Development Agency and the National Trust.
Martin will serve as an ex-officio member of Executive and Legislative Council and as a member of the Senior Management Team. As Chief Secretary as well as being the head of public services he may, on occasion need to serve as Acting or Deputy to Governor.
The arrival of the Chief Secretary means that Ethel Yon has now relinquished her duties of Acting Chief Secretary and has return to the post of Deputy Chief Secretary. As many will know she has provided invaluable service to the Island as Acting Chief Secretary since 2005.
Gillian Francis has been serving as Acting Deputy Chief Secretary for over two years and has now returned to the post of Senior Assistant Secretary in the Office of the Chief Secretary.
The Chief Secretary is based at the Office of the Chief Secretary at the Castle and can be contacted on telephone 2525.
Public Relations/Information Office
Office of the Chief Secretary
24 October 2007
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