Permanent Chief Officer of CYPES appointed

15 December 2022

​Following a thorough recruitment process, and a year as interim leader, Rob Sainsbury has been permanently appointed as the Chief Officer for the Children, Young People, Education and Skills (CYPES) department. 

Having held the role as interim Director General for the department since December last year, Mr Sainsbury’s appointment has now been made permanent by the States Employment Board.

Children and Education Minister, Deputy Inna Gardiner, said: “I would like to congratulate Rob on his well-deserved appointment. I’m delighted that we now have a permanent Chief Officer to lead our department with his senior leadership team. The experience that Rob brings to the role is a significant step in our journey to stabilise the department.

“Rob has an excellent reputation for bringing strategic and transformational change to services and I look forward to continuing to work together to ensure children and young person’s voices, and their families, are at the centre of our services.” 

Government of Jersey’s Chief Executive, Suzanne Wylie, said: “I’m delighted to see Rob’s permanent appointment and wish him many congratulations. His skills, knowledge and strong leadership make him uniquely placed to continue to deliver the Minister’s priorities and improve services for children, young people, and their families.

“I look forward to continuing to work closely with him and his team in CYPES as we deliver the Government’s wider strategic goals.”

Mr Sainsbury said: “I’m very much looking forward to continuing to lead the department, working with colleagues across CYPES, Government and partners to build on the good work already commenced and delivered within our department.

“During the last 12 months I’ve seen first-hand just how professional and committed colleagues are and extraordinarily resilient, especially in these recent tough times. This dedication is extremely appreciated and is very much recognised, by not only myself, but Ministers and senior colleagues in Government. 

“It’s a real privilege to be able to continue to lead such a committed and hard-working department, who go the extra mile every day to support children, young people and families.”