The Tribune

ALTHOUGH officials have yet to name a new National Insurance Board director, a former senior employee has emerged as the front runner to fill the post, The Tribune understands.

Rowena Bethel, former legal officer at NIB, was among four persons interviewed by the Board of Directors, according to inside sources.

After several years at NIB, Ms Bethel worked in the financial services sector, drafting and finalising Tax Information Exchange Agreements.

Yesterday, Minister Shane Gibson denied that a final decision has been made, but the sources say the race is all but over. “We have not selected anybody yet,” Mr Gibson said. “We have gotten Cabinet’s agreement to proceed but we have not selected anybody yet. We have not negotiated any contracts with anyone yet, but once we have the meetings over the next couple of days we will move on to that stage.

“They (the Board) sent us the recommendation which I have forwarded over to my colleagues. They have already approved it in order of priority hopefully I should be meeting with those persons in the order that they selected them. Over the next couple of days we will be making the final appointment.”

The leading role was left vacant less than a month ago after Mr Cargill was terminated from the post he held for around four years following a row with former NIB chairman Gregory Moss, who was later fired.