Former Chief of Defence Staff, Lieutenant General Rocky Ricardo Meade has been appointed as Cabinet Secretary and Head of the Public Service.
Meade succeeds Ambassador Douglas Saunders who has been Cabinet Secretary and Head of the Public Service since June 2008. His appointment takes effect October 1.
The change was announced by Jamaica House in a media release.
“Meade’s years of experience in government will be an asset to the public service and a crucial part of our continued thrust toward efficiency and service excellence,” Prime Minister Andrew Holness said.
“I would like to thank the outgoing Cabinet Secretary, Ambassador Saunders for his decades of committed service to the Jamaican people culminating in his work as Cabinet Secretary. He has demonstrated integrity, accountability and commitment to the Government of the day and the people of Jamaica. After such service of distinction, he has earned the gratitude of the public service and the country,” he said.
Meade also thanked outgoing Cabinet Secretary, Ambassador Saunders, for his guidance and support.
“I am humbled and honoured to be considered for this critical role. I pledge to further the positive evolution of the public service for the benefit of the wider society,” he said.
Meade served as the CDS for the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) from December 2016 to January 2022. He was succeeded by Rear Admiral Antonette Wemyss Gorman.
