Cherie Whitter has been appointed Deputy Head of the Civil Service, while the Ministry of Education and Economic Development has two new Permanent Secretaries.

Ms Whitter, a former Director of Tourism, was given the job on a temporary basis earlier this year. Her position was confirmed by Cabinet Secretary Derrick Binns this afternoon.

In her role as Deputy Head, Ms Whitter will primarily be responsible for leading the Public Service Reform initiative.

Dr Binns also announced that Valerie Robinson-James and William Francis had been hired to head up the Education and Economic Development Ministry.

Mrs Valerie Robinson-James will serve as the Acting Permanent Secretary for Education, while Mr Francis will be responsible for the running of the Economic Development wing of the Ministry. The separate Ministries of Education and Economic Development were merged in December and, according to a Government spokesman, a review concluded that two senior civil servants were now required “to provide the necessary executive leadership and to manage the needs of the mega-Ministry”.

In a statement this afternoon, Dr Binns said: “As the community is aware, last year, Government underwent a structural change which resulted in a reduction of Ministries.

“Additionally, in an effort to ensure that the public service was operating at optimum efficiency a decision was made earlier this year to embark on a Public Service Reform initiative. Each of these steps were taken to ensure a more efficient, streamlined and nimble Government.

“Public Service Reform is aimed at improving the way that the service works so that government can deliver better, more efficient services to its citizens. As I have noted, Public Service Reform requires a shift in our corporate culture and a readiness for public servants at all levels to serve and lend their expertise in new areas of Government.

“The reassignments at the senior Civil Service level are intended to ensure that a strong emphasis is devoted to ensuring that these very important areas of Government receive the critical focus and attention they deserve. It is a demonstration of the Government’s commitment to not only reforming the public service, but it is a demonstration of our commitment to the people of Bermuda by ensuring that they receive the best service possible so that their needs are met.

“I am confident that these individuals who have been appointed to these key posts will serve the Government very well. I wish them every success and look forward to their contributions to public policy initiatives.”