Parliament met for the first time on Thursday since the appointments of Jenielle Lewis-Browne and Rachelle Chance as the new clerk and deputy clerk.
Speaker of the House of Assembly Ronnia Durham-Balcombe noted the appointments at the sitting, adding that Lewis-Browne was appointed on Oct. 1.
The new appointments followed a lawsuit by the Public Service Union that led to a December 2025 High Court decision quashing the appointments of former clerk Deborah Charles and former deputy clerk Simone Williams-Huggins, made two years earlier.
After the court decision, the government appointed Nicole Herbert, who retired from the post in June 2023, to act as clerk of the House.
“The House of Assembly thanks Ms Nicole Herbert for her dedicated service, and we look forward to working with our new staff,” Durham-Balcombe said during Thursday’s sitting.
Prime Minister Godwin Friday welcomed the appointment.
“And we expect, of course, that we will be well served because they are professionals. They are experienced in what they’re doing here, and they can expect full cooperation from us…” he said during the sitting.
Deputy Prime Minister St. Clair Leacock also recognised their appointments, saying Lewis-Browne and Chance are “not both new”.
“One is newish, and the other is new. I want to congratulate them [on their] ascendancy to the high office as clerk and deputy clerk of the House, and look forward to working with them in this hallowed hall or House of Assembly,” he said.
Before being appointed clerk, Lewis-Browne was the legal officer in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Trade, Foreign Investment and Diaspora Affairs.
Opposition senator Carlos James said he wished them “the very best” in their new roles.
“And I know Ms Chance has been with us for a very long time in this House, and would certainly live up to the expectation of her post.”
Government senator Chelsea Alexander commended the clerk and deputy on behalf of the Deputy Speaker, Senator Jamali John, who was absent.
“I wish to extend my warmest congratulations to our newly appointed clerk and deputy clerk as you step into these vital roles, supporting our legislative work.”
Alexander expressed John’s gratitude to Herbert for his support during his transition into deputy speaker.
“I look forward to working closely with our new leadership team to uphold the rules and distinguished traditions of our Parliament.”