Susan O'Bey

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

1. Dilworth, Jennifer; Stuart-Jones, Megan. "O'Bey, Susan". International Year Book and Statesmen's Who's Who – via Brill.
2. van Middelkoop, Daniel; Hogenstijn, Maarten (October 2018). "Saint Helena Island: flying future for lonely rock" (PDF). Geografie.
3. "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.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
5. Henry, Sharon (14 August 2014). "Setting The Groundwork for Path in Life" (PDF). The Sentinel. Retrieved 9 February 2021.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
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. "York research brings benefits for St Helena". University of York. 26 November 2013. Retrieved 9 February 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
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.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)