THE long search for a new Cabinet secretary has finally ended with veteran public servant Audrey Sewell set to take on the job.

Jamaica Observer sources say Sewell, who now serves as the permanent secretary in the Office of the Prime Minister and the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation, will move into the role of the head of the civil service come Tuesday, August 1.

The Andrew Holness Administration has been searching for a new cabinet secretary since last October when Ambassador Douglas Saunders was slated to retire.

The Administration had initially picked former head of the Jamaica Defence Force Lieutenant General Rocky Ricardo Meade to replace Saunders, who was slated to step down on October 1, 2022 after serving from 2008.

But following questions about the appointment, Meade said that he could not accept the appointment amid concerns raised that it was in breach of the Jamaican Constitution.

On Sunday, Observer sources said that following the recommendations of Holness and the full approval of the Governor General Sir Patrick Allen, Sewell would take on the job.

The Observer sources pointed out that Sewell brings a wealth of experience and exceptional qualifications to her new role as cabinet secretary.

“Throughout her distinguished career she has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to the development of Jamaica through her exceptional leadership and dedication,” said the source.

“Mrs Sewell’s qualifications include an MSc in Human Resource Development and a BSc in Management Studies from the prestigious University of the West Indies [UWI]. Additionally, she holds a Certificate in Management Studies from UWI and an Advanced Certificate in Educational Administration and Leadership awarded jointly by the Swedish Institute for National Development and the Vocational Training and Development Institute.

“Her dedication to continuous learning is evident through her participation in international high-level studies and research methodology courses at the University of Michigan,” the source added.

Sewell’s career as a permanent secretary started in 2008 at the Ministry of Education. In 2011 she was reassigned to the Ministry of Transport, Works and Housing, and later, in February 2016, she was appointed to the same capacity at the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation. In that same year she took on the dual role of permanent secretary for both ministries, serving in the Office of the Prime Minister.

In the meantime, the sources told the Observer that Meade is set to be appointed as permanent secretary in the Office of the Prime Minister while Arlene Williams will be the permanent secretary in the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation.

However, efforts to confirm these appointments were unsuccessful up to press time.

Meade is now serving as ambassador plenipotentiary with responsibility for national strategic initiatives and co-chair of the Constitutional Reform Committee.