104.— (1) The chief executive officer shall—

(a) carry on and manage and control generally the administration and business of the Authority,

(b) perform such other functions as may be assigned to him or her by or under this Act or any other enactment or as may be determined by the Authority, and

(c) provide the Authority with information (including financial information) relating to the performance of his or her functions as the Authority may require.

(2) The chief executive officer is responsible to the Authority for—

(a) the performance of the chief executive officer’s functions and the implementation of the Authority’s policies,

(b) supporting the Authority in all functions of a judicial nature conferred on the Authority by this Act,

(c) maintaining on behalf of the Authority—

(i) the register of accredited bodies, and

(ii) the register of intercountry adoptions.

(3) Such of the functions of the chief executive officer as he or she may specify from time to time may be performed, with the consent of the Authority, by such employee of the Authority as may be authorised by the chief executive officer.

(4) If the chief executive officer is absent or the position of chief executive officer is vacant, the functions of the chief executive officer under this section may be performed by an employee of the Authority designated by the Authority.