Susan O'Bey is a politician in Saint Helena. She is currently chief secretary, one of the most senior roles in the island's government.[1][2]

O'Bey, who is from the remote British Overseas Territory,[2][3] began her career working in education, including as a school headmistress, before becoming a public servant.[4][5][6]

It was first announced that she would become chief secretary in May 2017.[3] She was temporarily sworn in as acting chief secretary in September 2017 while then-Chief Secretary Roy Burke was on leave.[7]

O'Bey was officially sworn in as chief secretary by the governor of Saint Helena in April 2018, replacing Burke, whose contract on the island had ended.[8] Then-Gov. Lisa Phillips described her as the "first substantive St. Helenian chief secretary."[3]

In her capacity as chief secretary, she served as a non-voting member of the island's Executive Council.[9] Since 2021, after the island's governance system referendum, the chief secretary is no longer on the council and Julie Thomas has taken office as the country's inaugural chief minister.[10][11]

O'Bey previously served as Saint Helena's director of strategic policy and planning,[12] then as deputy chief executive for economic development for the island's Enterprise Saint Helena program.[13][14]

She holds a master's in public policy and management from the University of York.[12]

References edit

  1. ^ Dilworth, Jennifer; Stuart-Jones, Megan. "O'Bey, Susan". International Year Book and Statesmen's Who's Who – via Brill.
  2. ^ a b van Middelkoop, Daniel; Hogenstijn, Maarten (October 2018). "Saint Helena Island: flying future for lonely rock" (PDF). Geografie.
  3. ^ a b c "SUSAN O'BEY APPOINTED AS CHIEF SECRETARY DESIGNATE". Saint Helena News Express. 26 May 2017. Retrieved 9 February 2021.
  4. ^ Hogenstijn, Maarten; van Middelkoop, Daniel (April 2002). "Saints: Spatial identities of the citizens of Saint Helena". Utrecht University. Retrieved 9 February 2021.
  5. ^ Henry, Sharon (14 August 2014). "Setting The Groundwork for Path in Life" (PDF). The Sentinel. Retrieved 9 February 2021.
  6. ^ Cooper, Glenda (20 July 1997). "Island airs good news on TV for children". The Independent. Archived from the original on 25 May 2022. Retrieved 9 February 2021.
  7. ^ "SUSAN O'BEY SWORN IN AS ACTING CHIEF SECRETARY". Saint Helena News Express. 20 September 2017. Retrieved 9 February 2021.
  8. ^ "SUSAN O'BEY SWORN IN AS CHIEF SECRETARY". Saint Helena News Express. 24 April 2018. Retrieved 9 February 2021.
  9. ^ "Exco Meeting - Tuesday, 11 February 2020". Saint Helena News Express. 7 February 2020. Retrieved 9 February 2021.
  10. ^ "ST HELENA CHOOSES MINISTERIAL SYSTEM". Caymanian Times. 24 March 2021. Retrieved 18 April 2022.
  11. ^ "Inaugural Meeting of Legislative Council - Councillor Julie Thomas elected as Chief Minister". St Helena Government. 25 October 2021. Retrieved 18 April 2022.
  12. ^ a b "York research brings benefits for St Helena". University of York. 26 November 2013. Retrieved 9 February 2021.
  13. ^ "NEW DEPUTY CHIEF EXECUTIVE FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT". St Helena Government. 31 January 2014. Retrieved 9 February 2021.
  14. ^ Wallis, Richard (6 February 2014). "O'Bey: The New Boss!" (PDF). The Sentinel. Retrieved 9 February 2021.