The Social Security Management and Staff is pleased to welcome its new Board of Directors, effective 17th August 2020.
In a ‘meet and greet’ introductory session at the Social Security Office, the staff met with and welcomed the new Board of Directors. The new Board was presented to staff by Ministerial Assistant in the Ministry of Finance, Mr. Courtney Morton, in the excused absence of the Hon. Premier and Minister of Social Security, Dr. Lorenzo Webster.
The Board consists of seven members, six of whom are appointed for a three (3) year term by the Premier and Minister of Finance with responsibility for Social Security, and approved by Executive Council. The Director of Social Security is appointed by the Governor in Council and serves as an Ex-Officio member of the Board. The new Board is led by Mrs. Jacqueline Bryan-Niles, Chairman and Government Representative. She is only the second female in the history of the Social Security Board to serve as Chairman; the first being Mrs. Countess Rey, MBE, who served for the period 1986 – 1988. Mrs. Bryan-Niles is serving her second term on the Board, as is Mr. Kiel Connor, who served on the last Board.
In her brief introductory remarks to staff, as Chairman, Mrs. Bryan-Niles stated: “It is a pleasure to be here once again to serve on the Social Security Board because having served as a Civil Servant for some 33 years…, I know what it is like to be answerable to the taxpayers and people of Anguilla… Therefore, I see my role as Chairman of the SSB as no exception.” She further stated: “We the Board members are the newest members of the SSB Team and each and every one of us has a role to play to ensure the success of this organization. In other words, we are here to work together… to achieve our motto, ‘Improving the Quality of Life’ for All.”
In outlining the expectations of the Board, Mrs. Bryan-Niles took the opportunity to highlight four key responsibilities of the Board and how they relate to staff and their roles, as well as the basis for the work of the Board to:
“(a) Provide direction for the organization in conjunction with the Director, and set broad goals for the institution;
(b) Establish a policy-based governance system to ensure efficiency, consistency and fairness;
(c) Monitor and control the functions of the organization; and
(d) Collectively and individually exercise a fiduciary responsibility to represent and protect the organization’s assets, investments, and stakeholders’ interests.”
The Director of Social Security on behalf of Management and Staff expressed a warm welcome to the new Social Security Board. He commented on the Board’s work as a team and the importance of a strong sustainable Social Security System to the people of Anguilla. He referred to the upcoming 40th anniversary of the November 3rd 1980 passage of the Social Security Act, and the need to update the legislation which, along with a new ICT system, will allow the institution to deliver “Transformational Social Security”.
The full slate of Board members and their representation are as follows:
Mrs. Jacqueline Bryan-Niles – Chairman/Government Representative
Ms. Kimberly Fleming – Deputy Chairman/Employer Representative
Mr. Kerith Kentish- Employer Representative
Mr. Kiel Connor – Government Representative
Ms. Simone Harrigan – Employee Representative
Mr. Lesroy Lake – Employee Representative
Mr. Timothy Hodge- Director of Social Security
In her closing remarks, the newly appointed Chairman of the Board, assured the SSB’s staff that the aim of the new Board is to work along with the staff as a Team, to ensure good governance and sustainability of the organization for the benefit of all stakeholders. Ms. Denise Buchanan responded on behalf of Staff and also expressed the importance of everyone working together to achieve the desired results.
– Press Release
