Chief Executive and Secretary for Justice, Ministry of Justice

The State Services Commissioner, Iain Rennie, today announced the appointment of Andrew Bridgman to the position of Chief Executive and Secretary for Justice, Ministry of Justice.

Mr Bridgman is currently the Acting Chief Executive, Ministry of Justice, a position he has held since June 2011. Prior to this role, Mr Bridgman was Deputy Chief Executive, Ministry of Health from 2007. From August 2010 to January 2011, he was the Acting Chief Executive and Director-General of Health.

"Andrew Bridgman has led substantial change management programmes in large, complex departments and has delivered results and cost savings in the Ministries of Justice, Health and Economic Development. He gained considerable experience in the social sector in his positions in the Ministry of Justice and the Ministry of Health.

"Mr Bridgman has 20 years' experience in the Public Service with seven years' experience as a senior manager in both the Ministry of Justice and the Ministry of Health. With six years experience at the Ministry of Justice in various positions, he has a very good understanding of the Ministry's complex functions, the constitutional and independent role of the Judiciary and the range of sector relationships," Iain Rennie said.

Prior to joining the Ministry of Health, from 2004 to 2007 Mr Bridgman was the Deputy Secretary, Policy and Legal Group, Ministry of Justice. He was responsible for developing justice policy and advice to Ministers on matters relating to criminal justice and crime prevention, constitutional law, human rights, and public and commercial law.

From 1997 to 2004 Mr Bridgman was the Group Manager, Insolvency and Corporate Compliance in the Ministry of Economic Development. He was also Deputy Official Assignee for New Zealand and Deputy Registrar of Companies.

From 1994 to 1997 Mr Bridgman worked for the Ministry of Justice, before that he commenced his career in the Public Service in 1991 in the Ministry of Maori Development as a Senior Solicitor. He was a Solicitor in Rudd Watts and Stone (now Minter Ellison), from 1987 to 1991.

Mr Bridgman has a Bachelor of Laws Degree from Victoria University of Wellington. He has been admitted to the Bar.

Mr Bridgman has been appointed for a five year term and takes up the position on 16 August 2011.

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