Following an open competition and a consultative process which included and went beyond what is required by section 66 of the Anguilla Constitution, Mrs Chanelle Petty Barrett has been selected to succeed Mr Rodney Rey as Permanent Secretary Education, Library Services, Sports, Youth and Culture (PS ELSYC) when he retires on 27th September 2008. Mr Rey is expected to proceed on pre-retirement leave on 3rd July 2008. Mrs Petty Barrett will act as PS ELSYC when Mr Rey proceeds on pre-retirement leave until his retirement date, at which time she will take up the position substantively.
Mrs Petty Barrett began her public service career as an uncertificated teacher in 1990. Following completion of legal studies she continued her public service in the Attorney General’s Chambers where she served from 1997 until the present time, save for a short stint in the private sector from 2005 to 2006. Her tenure in the Attorney General’s Chambers and service on a number of Government related Boards and Committees has resulted in a sound knowledge and understanding of many areas of government. This has given her a keen awareness of the challenges faced by ministries and departments as they seek to execute their mandates.
Mrs Petty Barrett is being appointed to serve as a permanent secretary at a time when attributes such as resilience, willingness to accept responsibility, the ability to analyse and think strategically, the ability to respond appropriately to political pressures, honesty and integrity are vital in addition to other qualifications required to effectively function as a permanent secretary in today’s environment. Mrs Petty Barrett is considered to have these attributes and it is expected that she will continue to cultivate them as she carries out the duties of her new position.
Mrs Petty Barrett’s professionalism and work ethic is admired and respected throughout the service and it is anticipated that the areas of Education, Library Services, Sports, Youth and Culture will during her tenure, benefit from innovative ideas and thorough consideration of all issues directly or indirectly affecting the social fabric of our island community. Mrs Petty Barrett’s skills, knowledges and abilities make her readily transferable to other permanent secretary positions and it is therefore very likely that other areas will benefit as a result of her appointment to the post of permanent secretary.
It is expected that Mrs Petty Barrett will receive the support of her colleagues throughout the public service as well as the support of the wider Anguilla community as she works with various stakeholders to promote Anguilla’s social development.
Deputy Governor’s Office
23 April 2008