Initial executive principal job offer was withdrawn

Education, Sport & Culture had been confident that an appointment would be announced by the end of March, and then by the start of July.

There had been no public confirmation of the behind-the-scenes difficulties in recruiting to the post, which will now only be filled on a two-year basis.

The role of executive principal for The Guernsey Institute was initially advertised both on and off-island in February.

A key responsibility of the post-holder is to begin the integration of the three existing providers – Guernsey College of Further Education; Institute of Health and Social Care Studies and the GTA University Centre.

A shortlist of four candidates was produced, some locally-based and some from outside the island, with interviews held in March with all of them.

There were five people on the interview panel – political representation from Education, an external educational advisor, ESC officer representation, senior officer representation and HR business partner.

‘The process included written application, participation in stakeholder events and formal interviews,’ a Policy & Resources spokesman said.

‘This approach was endorsed by the CfESC. This initial recruitment process did result in an offer being made to a candidate, subject to standard pre-employment checks. Following completion of those checks, it was not considered appropriate to affirm the offer of employment to that candidate.’

As a result of the unsuccessful recruitment drive, specialist recruitment agencies were engaged to attract candidates with a proven track record of further and higher education integration.

‘A two-year contract was considered appropriate, given this slightly revised brief, in order to enable the change-management piece to be expedited, while supporting the three existing leaders within the FE/HE institutions to focus on both ‘business as usual’ service delivery and input into the transformation piece from the start of September this year. In addition, a two-year contract enables a clear succession plan to be developed, and takes into account any changes to the role, which might occur when the Education Law is updated.’

The rationale for the approach taken for a phase two was endorsed by the committee and representation from the newly-formed shadow board of governors of The Guernsey Institute.

The second drive led to five further candidates coming forward for interview. Two rounds of interviews took place this summer.

The interview panel on both occasions comprised of: political representation from Education, an external educational advisor, shadow board of governor representation, senior officer representation, Education officer representation and HR business partner.

‘While this process has taken slightly longer than expected, it is not anticipated that this will have any significant impact in the formation of the new Guernsey Institute. The priority has been from the outset to ensure that the right candidate, with the right skills, experience and ambition is secured for this key role, to begin the process of successful integration.

‘It is extremely pleasing that the successful candidate, Jacki Hughes, has now been appointed and we are looking forward to providing her a warm welcome as she commences, in post, in the autumn.

‘It should also be noted that the Policy & Resources Committee, in its role as employer, is clearly limited in the extent that it can comment on this or any other appointment process due to its responsibility to both internal and external candidates. However, the committee has stated that it is open to a formal review of its recruitment processes relating to education.’