Panellists, left to right, Donna Ivey, Beverly Alimo-Metcalfe and Simon Elliott with Advocate Jessica Roland. (0941033)

THE States needs to overcome three main obstacles to achieve a modernised public sector, according to the head of its human resources.

Simon Elliott, who joined the States in May 2009 from Royal Dutch Shell, appeared on a question time panel at the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development’s annual conference.

In response to a question from the audience, he outlined the three main stumbling blocks as: an organisation not used to change; a lack of clarity surrounding the boundaries between the political body and the paid service; and committees and departments working individually rather than together.

‘None of these are a surprise,’ said Mr Elliott.

‘It’s just a question of addressing it and navigating it.

‘It will take some time to overcome.’

And although the States changed its machinery of government in 2004 as a result of the Harwood report, Mr Elliott accepted that one of the problems was bringing in only some of the changes recommended at that time.

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