May Industry News Round-Up
From new airline routes launching to another successful Funds Forum in London, it’s been another busy month for Guernsey’s finance sector. Here is our monthly newsletter with all of the top stories from the industry and our member organisations.
Don’t forget to follow @GIBAGuernsey on Twitter for updates and news throughout the month.
GIBA NEWS
GIBA Chairman Voices Concerns Over Guernsey’s Transport Links
According to GIBA Chairman Tony Mancini, if transport links to Guernsey do not improve, businesses are likely to choose to base themselves in Jersey in the future.
‘The real worry is that, if we cannot solve our air links problem soon, Guernsey will rapidly become an outsourcing centre for Jersey.’
Minutes and Technical Update
April GIBA Council minutes are now online in the members’ section of our website. You can find them here.
BUSINESS NEWS
Green Finance and Private Capital Investment Under The Spotlight at Funds Forum
According to Sir Roger Gifford, Chair of the London Green Finance Initiative, urgent action is required to fight climate change and Guernsey and London are ideally positioned to work together to accelerate green transformation.
Sir Roger was keynote speaker at the Guernsey Funds Forum in London this month. The event also highlighted how the rising trend of private capital investment is being well serviced in Guernsey.
Data Protection Law in Guernsey Turns One
Guernsey’s Data Protection law has turned one year old with the authority overseeing it recommitting itself to ensuring Islander’s rights are protected.
The law sets out ten rights for citizens and is regulated by the Office of Data Protection Authority.
Guernsey Funds Association Rebrands
The Guernsey Investment Fund Association has rebranded to welcome the Guernsey Investment Managers & Stockbrokers Association (GIMSA) to its membership.
GIFA , the recognised voice of the funds industry in Guernsey, has refreshed its brand to become the Guernsey Investment & Funds Association. The association is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year.
GREEN FINANCE
Guernsey Green Finance and UK Green Finance Initiative Foster Collaborative Approach
Guernsey Green Finance and the UK Green Finance Initiative have confirmed their mutual support and commitment to collaboration in the promotion of the development of green and sustainable finance.
Representatives of the two organisations met at City Week, the international financial services conference at London’s Guildhall, this week to strengthen ties between the sustainable finance initiatives of the two jurisdictions and foster cooperation on the development of green finance.
Demand Grows For Greener More Ethical Investments
Delegates at the ICSA, annual conference in Guernsey, were advised that socially conscious investment and emerging technologies are both areas that will require increasing boardroom focus.
Fiona Le Poidevin, CEO of the International Stock Exchange Group, told the event that recent climate change protests in London and the campaign led by schoolgirl Greta Thunberg were a sign of things to come.
AIRLINKS
The First of Blue Islands’ Three New Services Launches.
The airline’s year-round daily flights to London Southend from Guernsey set off from Guernsey Airport for the first time this month. The airline has also added Newquay and Liverpool as new destinations.
Positive Start For Heathrow Route
According to Economic Development, the performance of the Heathrow route is ‘very promising’ and in line with expectations.
Aurigny’s New Jersey And Southampton Routes Take Off
Aurigny has launched its twice-daily return service for islanders travelling to both Jersey and Southampton.
FINANCE IN THE COMMUNITY
The charitable work done by Guernsey’s finance sector continues to support many individuals, groups and services in the community. Follow our Twitter feed and the hashtag #GsyFinance4Community, here are just a few examples:
Record Attendance For Guernsey Literary Festival
This year’s Literary Festival saw a record attendance of almost 9,000 people, including 2,000 children taking part in the education programme.
Now in its 7th year, the six-day event, organised by volunteers, included 67 speakers across 84 events and benefited from sponsorship from a wide section of the finance community.
Muddy Cow 5k Fun Run Raises £2,500 For Charity
Organisers of the inaugural Muddy Cow 5K Fun Run, sponsored by Alter Domus, have confirmed that the event will return next year, following its success.
The event was held on land behind La Grande Mare Hotel on Mother’s Day and around 270 runners turned out to take part.
Saffery Champness Rotary Walk
Saturday 15 June
23 local causes have been chosen to receive funding from this year’s Saffery Rotary Walk.
The walk is open to individuals, relay teams and teams from four to seven walkers who wish to take on a section of the walk each.
Beddell Cristin To Launch New Monster Monday Run Series
A new series of 5k races is being launched as a summer challenge thanks to the support of Bedell Cristin.
They’ll be run at the motocross track at Pleinmont from June 10, throughout the summer months.
JUNE DIARY DATES
BPP Green & Sustainable Finance Forum
Wednesday 19 June – OGH
9:00am – 1:00pm
The event will welcome keynote speaker Stephen Nolan, Managing Director of the United Nations’ Finance Centres for Sustainability Global Network.
Topics will range from reviewing how global green finance solutions can contribute to climate change mitigation to examining the detail of the verification and certification processes of Guernsey green products.
STEP Guernsey Summer Social
Thursday 13 June – Candie Gardens Museum & Terrace
5:30pm – 8:00pm
STEP Guernsey is hosting its Summer Drinks social event for the finance sector in Guernsey.
This will be a relaxed networking event, open to all including those from other business sectors.
Bright Futures Annual Dinner
Longevity: The Greatest Gift or a Multi-Generational Curse
Friday 28th June – St Pierre Park
7:30pm – 11:00pm
Bright Futures LBG will welcome Professor Andrew Scott as a guest speaker at an annual dinner to mark the charity’s first anniversary. Andrew will open a thought-provoking session on the islands demographic timebomb, outlining the benefits of longevity and risks if the necessary preparations are not made.
This event would be relevant to business leaders, the HR community, employment lawyers and pension professionals.