Brian Duperreault To Head SAGE Commission
[Updated w/PLP comment] Insurance executive Brian Duperreault will head the new Spending and Government Efficiency [SAGE] Commission, Finance Minister Bob Richards announced this morning [Feb 28]. The other members of the Commission will be Kim White, Kenneth Dill, Peter Hardy, Kathy Duffey and Don MacKenzie.
Minister Richards said the Commission’s primary objective will be to “streamline Government processes, including Quangos, improve delivery of services and make Government more efficient, more cost-effective, more transparent and more user-friendly.”
“Commission members will be working with all stakeholders, including the general public, to formulate ideas and get suggestions on how best to manage, control and reduce Government spending over time contributing to a proactive deficit reduction plan.”
Minister Richards full statement follows below:
Good morning,
Thank you all for being here today.
On February 8th, during my post Throne Speech press conference, I announced that, in order to eliminate wasteful Government spending and reduce the public debt, Government will table legislation, in the upcoming budget session, to establish a Spending and Government Efficiency [SAGE] Commission.
This Commission’s primary objective, as you may recall, will be to streamline Government processes, including Quangos, improve delivery of services and make Government more efficient, more cost-effective, more transparent and more user-friendly.
Meanwhile Government must also do its part by setting clear policy priorities. Faced with this unprecedented fiscal challenge, tough decisions have to be taken to improve control over spending and to contain costs.
Commission members will be working with all stakeholders, including the general public, to formulate ideas and get suggestions on how best to manage, control and reduce Government spending over time contributing to a proactive deficit reduction plan.
The SAGE Commission will include a broad and diverse range of individuals and will commence its work as soon as is practicable following enactment of the required legislation, which could be as soon as next month, and will submit its recommendations and final report not later than six months after it commences work. The Commission will terminate its work upon submission of its final report.
Today I am pleased to stand before you to share the names of those individuals who will make up that Commission:
- Brian Duperreault (who will be Acting as Chairman of the Commission);
- Kim White;
- Kenneth Dill;
- Peter Hardy;
- Kathy Duffey;
- Don MacKenzie
So, as you can see, we have a strong team of individuals who I am confident will complete the arduous task ahead to the best of their abilities and for the betterment of Bermuda. Now, permit me if you will, to tell you a little bit about our Chairman.
A well-known individual in both the Bermuda and the international insurance sector, Mr. Brian Duperreault was the Chief Executive Officer and President of Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. from January 2008 until January 2013. He served as the Chief Executive Officer of ACE Limited from 1994 to 2004 and served its President from 1994 to 1999.
Having now retired for the second time I thought it would be an excellent opportunity to catch him between assignments. Prior to ACE Ltd. he held several senior positions with American International Group. Mr. Duperrault also served as the Chairman for The Centre of Philanthropy and Chairman of the Board of Trustees at Bermuda Institute of Ocean Sciences (Bios) Inc.
I could continue with a long list of accolades but think it is suffice to say…we are in good hands!
As this Government begins its first term in office with the country’s finances in poor condition and with Bermuda finishing its fourth consecutive year of economic contraction, it is more important than ever to ensure that we call upon the proven expertise possessed by individuals such as those I have named here today, to guide us forward.
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Update 9.22pm: Shadow Minister of Finance David Burt said, “As evidenced by the Hon. Finance Minister’s 2013-2014 Budget, there is no magic wand to wave to reduce spending.
“It seems likely that the SAGE Commission will find that there is very little to reduce in terms of expenditure without severely constraining services and productivity, however we will reserve formal judgment and await the results of the Commission in its attempt to significantly reduce Government expenditure”.
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Bermuda is 65% black. The Cuts & Pain commission is 16.66% black. Wonder whose interests they’re going to be looking after? Hmmmm….
we’re all in the same boat now, sweetheart.
Less cuzins on the board makes for more accountability mate
That’s how some felt when white Bermudians made up only 4% of the previous Government’s cabinet, despite being 30% of the population.
I love stats.
You really should ask the white Bermudians why they didn’t join the previous government. As 98% didn’t vote for them period, it’s no shock that only 4% made up the cabinet.
As it always has been, blacks will join with whites, faster than whites will join blacks
Well I guess it would be something along the lines of why more than 90% of African-Americans support the Democratic Party. With that being that the other option is just downright racist, hateful and intolerant of anything different than themselves.
Hope that helps…
Not talking about America though.
So no, that did not help
While not America the “other option” locally, demonstrates (and seemingly goes of of their way) the same character traits as the “other option” in the US that the majority of African-Americans find so abhorrent and thus cannot support. So all-in-all a pretty accurate and succinct comparison.
I feel You know better
African-Americans make up what percentage of the population?
And let’s not compare ourselves to anyone else.
Keep it 100 and just say White Bermudians do not and will not Support Black Bermudians, like Black Bermudains support White Bermudians.
Nah, I just don’t support racis t and hate filled individuals (ala Furbet, Commissiong, Burgess, Brown, Roban et al).
The fact that you refuse to acknowledge the hate that spews from the PLP camp to others that, a) don’t look like them and b) don’t think like them, highlights that you are simply part of the “racial problem” that Bermuda apparently has.
And there are plenty of examples (i.e. this election) of white Bermudians supporting and voting for black Bermudians into positions of leadership. It is just that your tacist being and upbringing has led you to believe that only “real” black people are involved with the PLP.
That my friend is called ignorance and something that I will never support.
But keep trying:)
If we do want to talk about America… they consider Brian Duperreault one of the top ten CEO tax dodgers.
http://www.thenation.com/slideshow/163062/slide-show-ten-ceo-tax-dodgers#
When you look at this list, it really makes you wonder who funded the OBA’s slick political campaign and who is really pulling the strings in the OBA government?
Sorry, I meant the list of people on the cuts/pain commission, not the list above.
Let’s get this straight. You’re criticizing a Bermudian CEO of company with subsids in Bermuda because, as a result of his Bermuda operations, his company quite legally paid less tax in the US?
And you’re trying to use that to create some kind of negative innuendo about something you completely fabricated?
I guess it escaped your attention, but Mr Dupperault also served (as a volunteer, free of charge) on Committees for the PLP. Didn’t see your sarcasm and cheap innuendos then, for some reason.
.
I totally agree. Blacks seem to be the ones more willing to forgive and respect others than those who look very much like themselves. So there is nothing new here. We really need to respect and acknowledge each other more than we currently do. Rather than behaving like a bunch of crabs we must try to begin to help each other and lift up each other. However this does not mean that we should treat others in disrespectful ways. I have taught my children to treat people the way they treat you. But I also encouraged them to take the high road albeit a very lonely road. Education helps to transcend. So to all of us who observe the way things truly are – talk to your children about the importance, self- respect, education and positive regard.
To our youth – pull up your pants. Dress attractively but appropriately, respect yourselves and others and you will change the way others see us. If we do not appear to be serious about our own existence NO ONE ELSE WILL!!!!!!! To those of us who know DO BETTER!!!!!!!!!!
From ‘LOL the new’ comments above I guess Brian’s professional experience, advice, insight, opinion will also be ignored, misunderstood, or turn into a conspiracy theory…..The man is one of us folks….he’s BERMUDIAN
Duperrealt brought Marsh back from the brink of bankruptcy in five years by looking at expenditure and cutting back on things that were unnecessary or excessive. He is exactly the man we need for this job.
How many jobs were lost as a result of his cuts?
Sometimes you need to operate to remove a cancer that is killing the patient. In this case the medicine has been delayed in coming and the cure is going to be more painful. Don’t bring race into it. You need smart educated experienced people to fix difficult problems. You wouldn’t want Chris Furbert trying to fix complicated problems. He would send you home with a bandaid telling you all is well.
Didn’t answer my question. How many people were fired? How many wages were reduced? How many benefits packages were slashed?
I’ve no idea what the numbers were, or if any jobs were even lost. However, if given the choice between cutting 10% of a workforce and saving a company or going into bankruptcy, surely you see the fault in your argument?
It’s either 10% of 100% of workers out of a job.
Your choice.
Actually, he saved about 60,000 jobs. Brought a damaged and discredited company back from the brink.
Hoe many jobs were lost because of term limits?
a lot fewer than were saved….
Really LOL? You should be asking “How many jobs did he save?!”
Without the recovery they would have all been without jobs.
Who gives a f%$# can he give me a job or put food on my table tonight??????
please post your resume’…..maybe one of the bloggers can help you(please omit the profanities)
wow……Bermuda get your head outta your butts and accept that WE have a problem that is dynamic in nature and the soulution ONLY comes from trying NOT complaining…yes express yourself but don’t prove the old adage of “an empty vessel makes the most noise……..”
It’s easy for people whose families don’t RELY on those jobs, salaries and benefits to survive. Yea, let those people suffer so that the rich can be even richer. That is the society that we strive to build here.
so lets bankrupt bermuda for the sake of these people, right?!
There needs to be cuts. Sounds to me like everyone workin in guvment is on welfare essentially…do f’all and get paid union wage….life must be good…
LOL (the new) – You have a lot of questions and you are rightly so entitled to them…. but… what would your suggestions be. And if you have some good ones see if you can join the newly created board and offer you services FREE OF CHARGE like they are.
Hey is that Brian who went Warwick sec and played football for rangers?
I thought I recognized that guy!
He is one of us!!! Lol
“One of us.” Interesting.
Yeah his great grandmother was black.
Do I have to be black to be “one of us”?
No but you have to understand the plight of the black populace in Bermuda. And in the eyes of “one of us” that is a rare and extraordinary quality to find in someone of white persuasion. Unless they’re subjected to the same (similar) plight which is also quite rare on our small yet largely segregated island.
Because there are those kinds of situations it does not bode well if people are “Oh woe is me” and let themselves sink deeper into the murk and mire. Oh ye of little faith – stand up, stand straight and stand tall and be determined to get up, out and over. It is going to take everyone, every one, every one to gey through and get over = some sooner and others later and yes, there will be those that remain in the middle and complain.
this will be a thankless job that these people have volunteered for….
LOL is obviously a student of stastistics. Wonder what he makes of the ratio of blacks to whites elected in our recent General Election? By my reckoning we elected 28 blacks and 8 whites to rule us. Is that reflective of our population? By LOL’s reckoning just who are these folks going to be looking after? Hmmmmm ….
obviously LOL is not a math major as I know that Kathy Duffy is black and I thought Kenneth Dill is as well unless they are not the people I know…should it really matter? of course not
If it’s the Cathy Duffy I’m thinking of, she’s white.
And so what? Racist prick
He’s a racist prick, yes. And he’s wrong. So he’s a wanker as well. He’s a racist prick wanker.
How many of the blacks are, as the secret plan noted, “black surrogates?” And, who is really in charge?
that’s a dopey question. read the headline.
With some Ministries and departments having up to 81% of their expenditure dedicated to wages and salaries its pretty clear that this group won’t be recommending the use of less paper clips. This is the pink slip brigade. A 6 month scalpel operation and off into the sunset they go.32 posts in and no-one says “friends and family” just because its the OBA. Kim White, a former UPB strategist (trying to keep a straight face on that one) and branch chairman; Peter Hardy a former Financial Secretary and a member of the UBP’s 2007 transition team (had they won); Ken Dill whose reputation for vendettas within the civil service is legendary; Brian Duperreault, Kim White’s client and part of the loser group at Morgan’s Point, Don “the hatchet” Mackenzie of HWP…..well folks, buckle up, its gonna be a bumpy ride.
And, remember how they scoffed when the PLP exposed their plans as a Cuts & Pain Commission during the election? The PLP is being proven correct once again!
At least they are not getting paid some “consultant’s fee” as was the case previously….
I wouldn’t give a guy like Don Mackenzie a friggin dime anyway . He single handedly took HWP from a mountain to a mole hill .
So, you don’t think that they will be paid?
Well, they are volunteering free of charge. Do you think that means they will get paid? Take a wild guess.
I know you come from a party where people paid themselves $160,000 to write reports to themselves. Those days are gone.
No Laverne they will not be paid as this is not a PLP appointed commission…of course most PLP boards were ____
Don “the hatchet” Mackenzie? That’s hilarious.
Your smears are, well, a little contrived and ridiculous.
OBA better get on with it cause they will only serve one term. You won’t be fooling at the next election!
If you think OBA are serving one term, you’re only fooling yourself. The more they examine under the hood, the more damage they find…I hope you work for yourself cuz I doubt anyone will hire you anytime soon
What a HUGE WIN for Bermuda. He has a tremendous track record of turning ailing companies into profitable money makers. He has the connections, the know-how and the experience to help Bermuda in it’s absolute time of need. And to top it off, he is incredibly honest, fair and humble.
THANK YOU BRIAN DUPEREAULT.
It is an ongoing shame and tragedy that what should be a deep and serious conversation about how to fix a Government that cannot go on spending close to 25% more than it pulls in without taking the entire economy down with it seems to immediately degenerate into racial finger pointing – that is one reason why so many of the best and brightest Bermudians (black, white and purple) have moved elsewhere.
Having said the above, other than Duperreault, this is not a very impressive board – My guess is the decisions have already been made.
What will be interesting, is when they consider cuts at various departments will they look at numbers or the people in those positions and the value they bring?
My guess is, that they will simply look at numbers and make cuts…easier that way, why bother to look at those that are actually worth their salt as these people do not have to worry about their next meal!