Mr. Claude Kettle assumed the role of Acting Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Education, Youth Affairs and Sports on July 1, following the pre-retirement leave of former Permanent Secretary Dr. Marcia Potter, officials announced. He will serve in the post until the completion of the recruitment process.
The appointment comes shortly after Mr. Kettle was named Deputy Secretary of the ministry. As Acting Permanent Secretary, he will oversee the ministry and its departments under section 56(5) of the Virgin Islands Constitution Order, 2007 and the Public Service Management Act. His duties include executing ministerial directives, managing administrative functions, and supervising areas such as budgeting, procurement, human resources, data management, and disaster readiness.
“Mr. Kettle’s experience in the Public Sector is vast, and he has made significant contributions to education in the Virgin Islands over the past few years,” Deputy Governor David D. Archer Jr. said in a statement. “As Acting Permanent Secretary, he has pledged to deliver with the same standard of excellence and effectiveness. My office and the wider Public Service stand fully ready to support him in this new chapter of leadership.”
Mr. Kettle brings more than 30 years of public service experience. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration from Temple University, along with certifications in project preparation and management from the Caribbean Development Bank, policy development from the Royal Institute of Public Administration, and trade negotiations and diplomacy from the London School of Economics.
The Government of the Virgin Islands said the appointment underscores its commitment to the advancement of public officers.
