MEDIA RELEASE
5 March 2013
EMBARGOED UNTIL 1300 HOURS
Lesley Longstone Severance Payment Released

State Services Commissioner Iain Rennie today released the amount paid, by way of severance payment, to Lesley Longstone, the former Chief Executive of the Ministry of Education.

When Mr Rennie announced Ms Longstone’s resignation in December 2012, he committed to release the amount of the severance payment when all details were finalised.

Ms Longstone left on 8 February this year and received a severance payment of $267,952, equivalent to six months’ remuneration. This amount is before tax and is met within current funding levels for Public Service chief executive remuneration.

“At the conclusion of Ms Longstone’s employment, she also received other end of term entitlements. These included outstanding holiday pay and a payment in lieu of notice,” said Mr Rennie.

“While notice would usually have been worked out, the desirability of a timely leadership transition led the parties to agree that a payment in lieu of notice was appropriate. This payment and outstanding holiday pay totalled $157,523.33.”

“Therefore, total before tax payments to Ms Longstone relating to the ending of her employment as Chief Executive totalled $425,475.33,” Mr Rennie said.

The State Services Commission expects to advertise for a permanent Chief Executive later this month.

ENDS.

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