Channel Islands Co-Op vs Macleod
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2026.09.29
3.6 Deputy M.B. Andrews of St. Helier North of the Minister for Treasury and Resources
regarding the Chair of the Jersey Development Company (OQ.79/2026).
Following the Court of Appeal's ruling in the case of the Channel Islands Co-Op v Macleod that the complainant was mistreated and bullied, and further to Oral Question 1/2026, will the Minister (as shareholder representative) confirm whether or not he has confidence in the Chair of the Jersey Development Company?
Senator A.J.H.M. Maclean (The Minister for Treasury and Resources):
I am aware of the Court of Appeal judgment and the findings of the Royal Court which preceded it, and I take those findings extremely seriously. The Court of Appeal overturned the damages award. It did not overturn the underlying findings concerning the conduct of the individuals involved. An independent board performance review in late 2025, however, concluded specifically that the Chair leads the Board effectively and found strong working relationships between the Board and the Executive. I also understand that the J.D.C. (Jersey Development Company) Board had recently considered this matter in-depth and unanimously confirmed its full confidence in the Chair. I will shortly meet the independent director to fully understand the Board's conclusions. But this is not simply about corporate performance, there is a legitimate wider question about the standards of conduct and leadership the public is entitled to expect from those who chair publicly-owned bodies. The court's findings cannot simply be disregarded. Equally, I must act in a balanced and fair way on all evidence. On the information presently available to me, I have no evidence arising from the Chair's performance of J.D.C. that would cause me to withdraw my confidence in how J.D.C. is currently led.
3.6.1 Deputy M.B. Andrews :
Does the Minister understand though that there are grave concerns among many members of the public how somebody can act in such a way and for the matter to be heard through appeal and for the Chair to be retained in position and that of course this, potentially, then brings the J.D.C. into disrepute?
Senator A.J.H.M. Maclean :
Yes, I do of course understand the concerns and the reason why the Deputy has raised this question in this Assembly. I have to act in a balanced and fair way, as I mentioned. Since I took office I have been considering this matter and I have taken all those factors that I have mentioned in my earlier remarks into consideration. I am, as I have said - and this is the next key issue - meeting with the senior independent director of J.D.C. to understand completely and utterly how and why the Board arrived at the decision that it did in relation to this matter, so that I can give that further consideration.