Chief Minister Tony Brown MHK has paid tribute to outgoing Chief Secretary Mary Williams who retired this week after a long and distinguished career in public service. Mrs Williams played a leading role in Government’s domestic and international affairs over three decades, working in a variety of senior positions including eight years as head of the Isle of Man Civil Service. She announced her retirement towards the end of last year but remained in post to ensure a smooth hand-over to her successor Will Greenhow who took over as Chief Secretary on January 1, 2011. The Chief Minister said: ‘I want to take this opportunity to thank Mary for her dedication, hard work and professionalism over many years and wish her every success for the future. She has served the Isle of Man with great distinction and played a major part in managing our international relationships during a particularly eventful and challenging period. I have had the pleasure of working alongside Mary for the past four years since becoming Chief Minister, and I have appreciated her support and wise counsel.’ Mrs Williams’ retirement brings the curtain down on a 40-year career in public service that witnessed many significant achievements and milestones. Educated in England, she qualified as a member of Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy in 1978 and moved to the Isle of Man in June 1983 to work as a senior accountant in the Treasury. She was promoted to Chief Internal Auditor in 1993, a year which saw her win the prestigious Cliff Nicholson Award for Innovation and Excellence, presented for outstanding work in the field of audit. Mrs Williams became Chief Executive Officer at the Department of Home Affairs in 1999, before rejoining the Treasury as the Island’s Chief Financial Officer in 2001. Following the retirement of Fred Kissack, she was appointed Chief Secretary in November 2002, a post she held until her retirement. As the head of the Civil Service, Mrs Williams was responsible for maintaining the good government of the Isle of Man by providing advice and support to the Chief Minister, Council of Ministers and the Lieutenant Governor. She maintained a pivotal presence at the heart of Government to protect the Island’s international reputation, constitutional position and quality of life, and to co-ordinate efforts to generate further economic growth against a backdrop of increased scrutiny and evolving regulatory standards. One of her main objectives on taking over as Chief Secretary in 2002 was to develop a policy for managing the Isle of Man’s external relations and to promote opportunities for the Manx Government to represent its own interests on the international stage. ‘The progress we have made in this respect since my appointment is a source of quiet satisfaction and pride,’ said Mrs Williams, who added: ‘Our achievements have been very much a team effort. I have enjoyed tremendous support from experienced, skilled and knowledgeable colleagues over the years and will miss that sense of camaraderie.’ The international role of Chief Secretary provided Mrs Williams with many personal and career highlights, such as attending events at Buckingham Palace and Number 10 Downing Street, and going behind the scenes at the House of Lords. She was present at the signing of the Island’s first Tax Information Exchange Agreement (TIEA) in Washington in 2002 and was part of a Government delegation to China in 2004 to strengthen diplomatic and economic links. Mrs Williams also attended several British-Irish Council Summits, helped to host the successful Mansion House dinner in London in 2008, and led numerous high-level negotiations on behalf of the Isle of Man. Reflecting on her career in the Isle of Man Civil Service, she said: ‘My work for the Manx Government has enabled me to meet many wonderful people and visit some interesting countries. It has provided important opportunities to promote the Island as a co-operative and forward-thinking nation at the very highest level amongst Governments across the world. I have always endeavoured to represent the Isle of Man to the best of my abilities to ensure our people continue to flourish and to enhance our reputation as a responsible international neighbour. It has been challenging, memorable and very rewarding.’ Ends