Former civil service head Joseph Grima dies aged 85
He served in the civil service during Malta's colonial rule, independence and as part of the European Union
Updated 5.07pm with PN tribute
Former Principal Permanent Secretary Joseph Grima, who led the civil service for almost a decade until his retirement in 2005, has died aged 85, his family confirmed Sunday.
Grima joined the civil service in 1956 during the time of the UK colonial government, moving to its upper ranks in 1964 when Malta achieved Independence.
His five-decades long career saw him posted to the Inland Revenue Department, Foreign Ministry – including four years at Malta’s High Commission in London – and the Office of the Prime Minister, where he served under five prime ministers.
He worked closely with Dom Mintoff for four years and for 15 years with Eddie Fenech Adami.
His career also saw him serve as deputy chairman at the Malta Council for Economic and Social Development, chairman of the Institute of Public Administration and as a member of the University Council.
Grima is credited with ushering in various reforms including spearheading the concept of public-private partnerships to improve the aesthetics of public spaces, and the ‘merit principle’ requiring civil service appointments to be made through competitive open calls.
He was also noted as a proponent of modernising the civil service, including pushing for the wider use and proliferation of computer systems.
Reviewing Grima’s memoirs Memories from the Front Line in 2021, Lawrence Zammit wrote the former civil servant “did not need any lessons in diversity”, noting that under his watch head of department roles included more women and younger civil servants.
Zammit described Grima as “capable of effecting radical change in a quiet way” and his leadership of the civil service “invaluable”.
In a circular to various departments at the time of his departure in 2005, Grima said of his time at the civil service that the “extent of the changes that have taken place within the public service and the scale of its achievements” were a “source of pride to us all”.
Noting at the time that his years of service had been marked by transitions, improvements and Malta’s “historic” joining of the European Union, Grima said it was to his “satisfaction that I have been of service to the governments and the people of Malta during this time”.
'Impeccable service'
In a statement, the Nationalist Party said Grima had "rendered impeccable service to our country". It noted that his first role within the civil service had been as an emergency teacher.
"Above all, he will be remembered for the important reforms he introduced in the civil service, helping to modernise Malta’s public service over the years through a number of crucial changes and achievements."
The PN extended its condolences to Grima's family.