Retired banker elected as a jurat
A RETIRED banker has been elected as a jurat after a sitting of the States of Election.
Kay Parnwell, who spent more than 40 years in the banking industry, has replaced retired obstetrician and gynaecologist Heather Reed.
In her time in the sector she founded the premier banking service at Barclays and headed up the private client team at Investec.
Requiring more than half of the 89 members’ votes to be elected, Ms Parnwell received 77 votes, with 11 votes left blank and one spoiled paper.
Members of the States of Election included deputies, douzaine representatives and clergy.
Ms Parnwell said she was ‘really chuffed’ to be elected.
‘When I initially heard about the role I didn’t think I had the qualities required for it, but the more I heard about it the more interested I became.
‘To be chosen is a real honour.’
She was looking forward to working with her fellow jurats and developing her understanding of the role.
‘It’s a heck of a duty, often dealing with people’s lives, and I will do the best I can do it justice.’
Deputy Peter Ferbrache, who proposed Ms Parnwell for the role, said she had integrity in ‘bucketloads’, as well as empathy and an ability to make difficult decisions, all of which would serve her well in the role.
As someone who knew Guernsey backwards, forwards and sideways, Deputy Ferbrache said she was the essence of what being a jurat was all about, with her knowledge of the local community.
Deputy Peter Roffey seconded Deputy Ferbrache’s proposal, and said Ms Parnwell had several ‘intangible’ qualities that made her suitable for the position, including senses of justice and compassion.
She was fair, balanced, bright and full of energy, and would make a good jurat as she was a ‘Guernsey girl’, he said.
