The woman in charge of the Government body to select Civil Servants is stepping down after 20 years at the helm.

Jeanette Cannonier will be replaced as chairman of the Public Service Commission by Shell Oil executive Stephen Kendell.

Mrs. Cannonier -- head of the PSC for 14 years -- said she had mixed feelings about leaving.

The former Bank of Butterfield deputy manager of corporate banking said: "After 20 years, it was time for a change -- I've enjoyed my tenure very much. But as time goes on, you need to move on.'' Mrs. Cannonier, 56, of Warwick, added: "There are five members of the PSC and we have got a good mix of personality and background, so they all bring a lot to the table.

"They get on extremely well as a team and it's been great working with them.'' The PSC is responsible for interviewing and selecting candidates for posts in the Civil Service and for discipline.

Mrs. Cannonier said her only regret was not seeing in the revised Public Service Commission regulations -- although she added the final draft has been approved by the Governor and they await review by the Attorney General's Chambers before coming into effect.

She explained the major change in the regulations was an alteration to the disciplinary role of the PSC.

Currently, the PSC handles grievances by Civil Servants, with a final appeal on its decisions going to the Governor.

But under the new regulations, Government will handle disputes involving staff with the PSC acting as an appeals tribunal.

The PSC's recruiting rules will also be changed, with the level at which it becomes involved being raised from supervisory level to senior management.

Responsibility for recruiting at mid-management level down will go to departmental heads, acting with Government's Personnel Services Department.

Mr. Kendell is on holiday and could not be contacted for comment.