Today the Head of the Public Service (HoPS) Cherie Whitter announced the appointment of two senior management executive posts within the public service.
Mr. Chidozie Ofoego, has been appointed to the post of Financial Secretary for the Ministry of Finance.
And Dr. Jennifer Attride-Stirling has been appointed to the post of Deputy Head of the Public Service.
Financial Secretary:
Mr. Chidozie Ofoego will work under the policy direction of the Premier and Minister of Finance, the Hon. David Burt, JP, MP. He will be responsible for the Ministry HQ, Accountant General’s Department, Social Insurance Department, Office of the Tax Commissioner, Customs (Tariff and Duty Collections) and the Registrar of Companies.
Mr. Ofoego is an experienced chartered accountant, joining the Bermuda Government from Imperial College London, where he was employed as their Director of Financial Reporting and Planning.
He also holds directorship positions on several of the University’s commercial subsidiaries. Mr. Ofoego graduated from Imperial College London with an MBA with distinction and has previous government experience with the London Borough of Hounslow in the United Kingdom. In his spare time Mr. Ofoego volunteered as a trustee for The Howard Partnership Trust, with oversight of 13 schools in the South-East of England.
Mr. Ofoego’s appointment became effective Monday, April 1, 2024, and succeeds Ms. Cheryl Lister.
Ms. Lister will remain onboard during the transition period functioning as a Senior Adviser to the Minister of Finance and Financial Secretary.
Deputy Head of the Public Service:
Dr. Jennifer Attride-Stirling will serve under the policy direction of the Head of the Public Service. She’ll be responsible for overseeing administrative policy development, updating relevant regulations and procedures, improving performance, developing capacity and enabling innovation. Dr. Attride-Stirling will also support the Bermuda Government’s union negotiations, disciplinary proceedings and assist in the implementation of the updated Public Service Reform strategy.
Currently Dr. Attride-Stirling is the Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Economy and Labour.
During 2023, she served in the Ministry of Finance undertaking special projects. Prior to that role, Dr. Attride-Stirling was Permanent Secretary of Culture and Sport from 2021 to 2022. She served as the Chief Strategist for the Ministry of Health from 2019 to 2020 and was the Permanent Secretary of Health from 2015 to 2019. Notably, she oversaw the strategic development and publications of key policies including the National Sports Policy, Youth Policy, and the Bermuda Health Strategy. Prior to joining the Government, Dr. Attride-Stirling was Chief Executive Officer of the Bermuda Health Council from 2009.
Dr. Attride-Stirling obtained her doctoral degree from the London School of Economics in 1998; has an Executive Diploma in Strategic Management from the Chartered Management Institute, UK; and has completed certifications in Executive Leadership from the Harvard School of Public Health.
Dr. Attride-Stirling’s appointment takes effect May 1, 2024.