A network engineer praised for his exceptional commitment and technical leadership has earned the Public Service Excellence Award for October.

Garth Bell, an employee of the Cabinet Office and Digital Innovation, was also recognised for ensuring the stability and resilience of the Government’s network infrastructure as well as completing upgrades that set the standard for future improvements.

The Ministry of the Cabinet Office and Digital Innovation said that Mr Bell’s experience in the field has enabled him to “expertly balance departmental needs with a keen sense of urgency”, and that after recent hurricanes, he worked “tirelessly” to restore connectivity to multiple government sites safely and efficiently.

Mr Bell has led several key optimisation initiatives that the ministry said significantly improved the speed, reliability and performance of network systems across key government locations.

Zane DeSilva, the Acting Premier, said: “I commend Mr Bell for his commitment to keeping our critical systems running, even under the most challenging conditions.

“His efforts not only ensure the continuity of public services but also contribute to digital innovation in public service. Mr Bell’s work reflects the professionalism, resilience and forward-thinking approach that benefits the people of Bermuda in a big way.”

The ministry noted Mr Bell’s calm under pressure and said his excellence extended across multiple projects.

A spokeswoman said: “He successfully completed major network and security upgrades for the Department of Environment and Natural Resources and the quarry facility, which have since become the design standard for future infrastructure improvements.

“He also played a critical role in the network switch upgrades at the Government Administration Building, General Post Office and Department of Labour, enhancing network performance in these high-demand environments.”

Cherie Whitter, the Head of the Public Service, added: “Garth’s tireless efforts and sense of duty exemplify what public service excellence is all about. His ability to deliver under pressure while driving lasting improvements is commendable.

“It is noted that he and his team have identified a new configuration that will save money and provide a higher-quality service. I'm pleased to recognise his leadership and extend thanks for his service.”