Newly appointed Director of Human Resources for Government Carlita Naomi O'Brien has praised her former boss for mentoring her during her career in the civil service and helping train her to the level where she was able to succeed her in the top post.

Since she became part of the organisation in 1997, having been interviewed by the then HR director Judith Hall-Bean, Mrs. O'Brien began as an administrative assistant and then was given training which enabled her to gain experience as a personnel manager and go overseas to study for a Masters' degree in personnel management.

As she accepted her new role as head of HR, Mrs. O'Brien said Mrs. Hall-Bean had been a mentor throughout her career in the civil service.

The mother-of-two also thanked her husband Dennis, children Masen and Micah and her parents Milton and Naomi Bean for their support, as well as consultant Karen West who has worked closely with her since September 2004.

Mrs. O'Brien's main duties will be to direct and control functions of the HR department, mainly recruitment, training and development and employee relations. She will also act as secretary to the Public Service Commission.

Former HR director Mrs. Hall-Bean is Assistant Cabinet Secretary.