FREE TO TAKE AWAY
Aurigny’s leisure and business magazine ISSUE 19
HAVE YOURSELF A VERY MERRY LITTLE ISLANDS BREAK UNCOVER GUERNSEY’S BUSTLING FESTIVE SEASON
COMMUNITY SPIRIT
BUSINESS NEWS
WINTER WEEKENDS DISCOVER WHERE AURIGNY CAN TAKE YOU THIS WINTER
FROM GUERNSEY TO GRENOBLE SPORTS SECTION
PLUS LOTS MORE
‘Inhorgenta’ - Oxidised Sterling Silver, Labradorite, & Diamond Necklace
From timeless elegance to contemporary, a piece with a vintage feel or something quirky and fun, Becky works with all metals and precious stones and perfectly captures exactly what you are trying to say. She works closely with her clients to help them produce bespoke pieces, often reworking their old and sentimental jewellery into new items.
beckyrowejewellery.com My-D House | Grande Rue | St Martin | Guernsey | Channel Islands | GY4 6RR
"WE TRAVEL NOT TO ESCAPE LIFE, BUT FOR LIFE NOT TO ESCAPE US" Anonymous
ST PETER PORT WINTER SUNRISE ©VISITGUERNSEY
1
E X TENSIONS , CONVERSIONS & NE W BUILDS JG Architecture Ltd are a friendly, open-minded Chartered Architectural Practice whose designs and spaces are inspired by people, context and light. • Clear sketch plans and 3D perspectives for concept design • Complete and detailed Planning and Building Control applications • Comprehensive construction information for tender issue • Informed and responsive project management through to completion Contact JG Architecture for your FREE initial on-site consultation or visit jga.gg for further information. T 014 81 245767 E I N FO @J GA .G G
En Voyage
#Aurigny SEND US YOUR SHOTS! We want to see your photos, perhaps a colourful sunset at 12,000 feet, a runway panoramic or an onboard abstract. Upload your best photo to any social media platform and tag using #Aurigny. It could be featured in the next issue of En Voyage. Please remember to make sure your device is switched to the flight safe mode for taxi, take-off and landing, and upload at a suitable time.
@georgian alderney There’s no Alderney...fl place like y in and se e us soon House or our sister at The Geo boutique rgian hotel The Victoria!
By submitting your image you agree to allow Aurigny to use the image in print and on social media.
testand at #sunset @jwhatx On a #remo #gatwick y rign #au y #myaurign
@maaikethepilot Interesting day today, with a diversion due to fog in Guernsey. Linecheck planned for tomorrow!
igny charter for the @mikesim64 Aur erney/ Symposium on Ald Maritime Histor y Aurigny to Caen.
PRODUCED BY YOUR LOCAL GLOBAL AGENCY Produced six times a year Call +44 (0) 1481 700070 or visit aurignymedia.com COVER PHOTO Skate at Somerset House with Fortnum & Mason ©David Jensen Original content published in this magazine cannot be copied or reproduced without prior permission of the publishers. The views expressed in En Voyage are not necessarily those of Aurigny or TPA.
MEET THE EDITOR
IMAGES Unless otherwise specified, all vendor images are copyright to that establishment.
Aurigny Air Services Ltd, States Airport, La Planque Lane, Forest, Guernsey, GY8 ODT
aurigny.com
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En Voyage | Aurigny’s Magazine
CONTRIBUTORS EDITOR AND SALES NATALIE DE WOOLFSON natalie@tpagency.com Call +44 (0) 7781 104372
What’s a magazine without wordsmiths? En Voyage receives content from a variety of writers and contributors in both Guernsey and further afield.
CONTENTS 9
WELCOME ABOARD! Message from Mark Darby, Aurigny’s Chief Executive Officer
10
AURIGNY NEWS
16 HAVE YOURSELF A MERRY LITTLE ISLANDS BREAK Reasons to love the Bailiwick of Guernsey during the winter months 21 WINTER WEEKEND: GUERNSEY Embrace the elements in beautiful Guernsey this winter
42 WINTER WEEKEND: SOUTHAMPTON The ideal spot for a weekend away 46 WINTER WEEKEND: LONDON London transforms into a magical winter wonderland 50 WINTER WEEKEND: NOTTINGHAM Explore a city with history and vibrancy 54 WINTER WEEKEND: MANCHESTER No matter the weather, Manchester has something to offer all ages
24 GUERNSEY BEACH GUIDE Chouet Bay
61
BUSINESS NEWS Inspiring interviews and local business news
28 WHAT'S ON? Forthcoming events in the Bailiwick and beyond
120 GUERNSEY VOLLEYBALL A year-round social and competitive sport
31 FROM GUERNSEY TO GRENOBLE The 'Capital of the Alps'
122 GYM ALTERNATIVES Activities for all ages
34 JEWELLERY DREAMS Jewellery designer and maker, Becky Rowe
126 COMMUNITY SPIRIT 131 IN-FLIGHT AND DUTY FREE
38 WINTER WEEKEND: BRISTOL The postcard-pretty city comes to life in the winter months
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With The Driving Range, Nineteen Bar & Grill and the all-new, private Premium Bays, there’s a party option for everyone, whatever your group size. EVENTS
The Golf Club offers a range of options for your Christmas party. Premium Bays are a stylish, private section of The Driving Range with two heated bays, unlimited balls and ‘sit down’ dining for up to 14 people, or drinks and canapes/ buffet for up to 25. On the main, state-of-the-art range there are 14 bays which can be hired out individually or as a range takeover (on the upper level).
SHOPPING
JamGolf is the largest golf superstore in the Channel Islands. Shop online and collect in store, or pop in to see our knowledgeable pros who will advise on the perfect gift this Christmas VAT-free shopping | Top brand equipment | Membership packages Lesson vouchers including packages to suit all abilities
For more information please visit thegolfclub.gg email info@golf.gg or call 01481 727039 The Golf Club, Rohais De Haut, St Peter Port, Guernsey GY1 1FD
LEEDS BRADFORD (Seasonal)
MANCHESTER
1968
Founded
16 MILLION Aurigny carried its 16 millionth passenger in 2018
EAST MIDLANDS
NORWICH (Seasonal)
LONDON STANSTED BRISTOL
2018
Ranked best short-haul airline by Which?
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Aircraft
LONDON
550,000
GATWICK
Passengers carried in 2018
SOUTHAMPTON
ALDERNEY
2019
GUERNSEY
Named Airline of the Year at 2019 Southampton Airport Awards
JERSEY
FRANCE
1977
First airline in the world to ban smoking on all services
300 Staff
1
Birth on board Between Alderney and Guernsey
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Routes
NEW ROUTES
GRENOBLE (Seasonal)
ADDED
AURIGNY GUERNSEY’S AIRLINE OK, it’s not the easiest of names – pronounced Or-ree-nee – but it’s certainly one that islanders are proud of. ‘Aurigny’ is the Norman name for Alderney, the northern island in the Bailiwick of Guernsey, where Aurigny Air Services was launched in 1968. Aurigny has been serving the Channel Islands for over 50 years and is owned by the States of Guernsey.
OUR DESTINATIONS 1
FA Cup Flown to Guernsey on 19th August 2016
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In-flight marriage
FROM GUERNSEY • ALDERNEY • BRISTOL • EAST MIDLANDS • JERSEY NEW • GRENOBLE† • LEEDS BRADFORD† • LONDON GATWICK
• LONDON STANSTED • MANCHESTER • NORWICH† • SOUTHAMPTON NEW
FROM ALDERNEY • GUERNSEY • SOUTHAMPTON † Seasonal route
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En Voyage ATR 42
Trislander
ATR 42
DORNIER 228
Trislander
DORNIER 220K
OUR FLEET Aurigny currently has a fleet of nine aircraft serving the network. We introduced our flagship Jet, an Embraer 195, in July 2014 to service the GuernseyGatwick route. The twinjet aircraft is the largest aircraft in the fleet, with a capacity of 122 passengers. Four ATRs also help to serve our UK and European destinations. The newest addition is a fully refurbished ATR 72-500, delivered towards the end of 2016, and fitted with 72 new, all forward-facing seats, that give additional legroom. We took delivery of our second New Generation Dornier 228 in 2017, to serve the Alderney routes.
DORNIER 228
Embraer 190
Embraer 195 NUMBER IN FLEET 1 BUILT Sao Jose Dos Campos, Brazil ENGINES 2 x General Electric CF34-10E7 Turbofans MAXIMUM SPEED 542 knots (624 mph) PASSENGERS CARRIED 122 RANGE 2,500 miles (4,023 km)
DORNIER 220K
ATR 70
Embraer 190
ATR 42
ATR 70
ATR 42
ATR 42
Trislander
ATR 72
ATR 42
NUMBER IN FLEET 3 BUILT Toulouse, France ENGINES 2 x Pratt & Whitney PW-127 M Turboprops MAXIMUM SPEED 276 knots (318 mph) PASSENGERS CARRIED 72 RANGE 1,023 miles (1,646 km)
NUMBER IN FLEET 1 BUILT Toulouse, France ENGINES 2 x Pratt & Whitney PW-127 E Turboprops MAXIMUM SPEED 299 knots (344 mph) Trislander PASSENGERS CARRIED 48 RANGE 966 miles (1,555 km)
Trislander DORNIER 228
DORNIER 228 DORNIER 228
Dornier 228NG
Dornier 228-200 and 220k
NUMBER IN FLEET 2 BUILT Oberpfaffenhofen, Germany ENGINES 2 x Garrett TPE331-10 Turboprops MAXIMUM SPEED 223 knots (257 mph) PASSENGERS CARRIED 19 RANGE 350 miles (563 km)
NUMBER IN FLEET 2 BUILT Oberpfaffenhofen, Germany ENGINES DORNIER 220K 2 x Garrett TPE331-5 or 10 Turboprops MAXIMUM SPEED 223 knots (257 mph) PASSENGERS CARRIED Up to 18 RANGE 350 miles (563 km)
DORNIER 220K
DORNIER 220K
Embraer 190
Embraer 190 Embraer 190
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ATR 70
WELCOME ABOARD! MARK DARBY CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
I like the winter and the different scenery that the changing of the seasons offers us. Winter can be a time to shut the door, enjoy the simple pleasures of warming fires and hearty meals while making the best of family time with none of the rush to ‘enjoy the weather, while it lasts.’
Of course, you may be travelling today to connect to somewhere else. Gatwick is a user-friendly airport offering many destinations, whatever your taste and budget. In this month’s En Voyage we explore connecting to Grenoble via Gatwick.
However, if you find yourself with ‘itchy feet’, Guernsey offers a huge variety of winter walks which makes it a great place to visit in November and December. Why not get out and enjoy the coastal scenery - even when it’s cold? On a crisp winter’s day there is nothing better than rambling along one of our cliff paths then treating yourself to a hot chocolate or mulled wine at one of the hostelries en route. Whether you live in Guernsey or are visiting, then aside from the fresh air and great food, there are many seasonal events and festive treats in store at the moment. Check out pages 16-18 where you can see all the things on offer to really get you in the Christmas spirit.
The end of the year offers us a time to reflect on the last year. I’d like to thank all of the team at Aurigny for their continued hard work during 2019, especially as it seems to have been one of our busiest years in a long time. I also want to thank all of our customers, old and new, for their loyalty and custom. We pride ourselves on being a community airline and we know many of you have appreciated the extra mile our staff go to deliver this service.
With Christmas approaching, our new destinations of Southampton and Jersey are perfect for festive shopping trips. Of course, many of our other destinations also offer great shopping experiences too, like Manchester and London, but you are not limited to shopping…’oh no you’re not!’ with many cities offering seasonal shows and pantomimes for you to enjoy. Go with your partner, friends or why not take the whole family?
I would like to offer you my seasonal good wishes and a Happy New Year. Wherever your journey takes you to today, I hope you have a pleasant flight. Thank you for choosing to fly with Aurigny - we look forward to welcoming you on board again in the near future.
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A U R I G N Y N E W S as family favourites. Aurigny sponsored her flight over to ensure she could complete the first challenge of coasteering with her mum on October 2nd.
Hannah Mackay in the cockpit of the Aurigny Embraer Jet
POSITIVELY RAISING AWARENESS Aurigny was delighted to welcome dementia campaigner and fundraiser Hannah Mackay on board recently. Both her father and grandfather had early onset dementia and now, at just 36 years old, Hannah has had it confirmed via a genetic test that she will also develop this condition. She has no knowledge of when this rare condition will affect her, only that symptoms normally start between the age of 45 and 65.
delighted that family links brought her to Guernsey for the first of her ‘crazy ten days’ fundraising. Her father was born in Guernsey and Hannah remembers trips to the island in her youth with Cobo and Vazon bay being cited
When first diagnosed Hannah experienced all types of emotions, from anger and despair to grief and concern for her young children. However, instead of staying in a dark place, Hannah is grasping life and in the ten months since her diagnosis has become the ‘face’ of early onset dementia. She is completing challenges and raising money and awareness of dementia around the UK and Aurigny was
AURIGNY WORKS WITH COLLEGE OF FE STUDENTS Aurigny is working with a group of 15 College of FE students who are doing the BTEC Business Level 3 Extended Diploma. They are doing a market research component every Wednesday and as part of this the Marketing and PR team at Aurigny is working with the students. They will produce a written proposal for a piece of market research aimed at exploring, amongst other things,
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Whilst her father is now too unwell to travel, both Hannah and her mother took lots of photos while on the island that they will share with him on their return. Hannah is passionate about continuing to raise awareness and her dad is her inspiration. She has seen her mum robbed of her retirement with her role now as carer. With illnesses like these affecting entire families and often diagnosed late with no cure or treatment yet, Aurigny wishes Hannah the best with her fundraising and thinks she is a fantastic ambassador for the charity. Hannah said she enjoyed the flight over with Aurigny and was thrilled to meet the pilots and crew at the end of the flight. Further details of can be found at justgiving.com/hannahmackay19
Hannah Mackay reading En Voyage
the perceptions of residents in Guernsey towards the airline.
exploring the results and work that the students come up with.
In September PR Manager Jess Mauger ran a marketing workshop with the students which involved a brief overview of Aurigny and then splitting the students into three groups and asking them to come up with words and things that they thought of when considering Aurigny. The results were interesting, and the group was very engaged and excited to be working on a ‘live’ project. The team at Aurigny looks forward to continuing this relationship and
Students doing the BTEC course and Jess Mauger, PR Manager
En Voyage
A U R I G N Y
SPORT THE WINNER AS AURIGNY NAMES FINAL TWO ATRs
N E W S
Aurigny is taking delivery of all three of its new aircraft in the third quarter of 2019 and by the time you are reading this you may even be on board one of them! At the time of going to print the first aircraft was already painted in the new livery with the Guernsey flag proudly displayed on the tail. The first aircraft has the registration G-OATR in honour of the manufacturer of all three new ATR 72-600s. The final two registrations were more difficult to decide on. An initial bid for G-OFOG was put in as all three aircraft will have ClearVision technology installed on them, enabling them to land in lower visibility than is now possible. The final registration was then going to be decided by a Facebook poll where the public had to choose between the two prominent sports teams on the island, Guernsey Football Club and Guernsey Raiders (rugby) as to which registration would be used. The poll proved very popular and really engaged the local community in a real head-to-head battle between football and rugby. Whilst the poll result went slightly in favour of the football team, Aurigny decided that G-OFOG was a little risky as a name and had a plan to endorse both their biggest sporting customers. As there was huge engagement on Facebook and given the community passion that had ensued, Aurigny felt both teams should ultimately ‘win.’
L-R: Nic Legg, Director at GFC, Jess Mauger, PR Manager Aurigny, Chris Gnapp, Director Guernsey Raiders
Therefore, the penultimate aircraft will be named G-OGFC (Go GFC) in honour of the local football team with a great local fan base who indeed travel with Aurigny on a regular basis to attend their away games and are hugely supportive of the airline. And last but by no means least the final aircraft registration will be named G-ORAI (Go Raiders) to celebrate the popular local rugby team who also frequently travel with Aurigny for games off island and are equally supportive of Aurigny.
G-OATR with its new tail livery
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AURIGNY
BEHIND THE SCENES
ROSS SAUNDERS RAMP AGENT I used to do farming before I came to Guernsey so it’s quite easy to transfer the tractor skills to the push back When did you join Aurigny and what do you do?
What brought you to Guernsey?
I joined Aurigny in May 2019 as a ramp agent. I meet aircraft, take the bags from the bay around to the plane and make sure they are on time. I also use the headset and push back the aircraft from stand.
My fiancé Katie got a job as a midwife on the island and so we moved here together two and a half years ago. I really love Guernsey and it’s great now to have a job I enjoy too. We’re getting married next year.
Have you always wanted to work in the airline industry?
Tell us something people may not know about you?
I do love working at the airport, but the main driver was to be able to do shift work so that I could still enjoy my passion for farming.
I’ve got 12 Guernsey cows of my own plus two Hereford and an Angus too. They are all farmed for beef and I sell them to friends at work and people around the island. That is my main hobby and passion.
What is the best bit about your job? I really enjoy push back, which I am now fully trained up on, and I am also one of the quickest to do it! I used to do farming before I came to Guernsey so it’s quite easy to transfer the tractor skills to the push back. I just like working hard and getting stuck in.
What do you like about working at the airport? I get great satisfaction helping get the aircraft out on time. Living on a small island I also like seeing people I know travel through the airport and seeing them in the departures lounge. I don’t take
for granted the huge privilege it is to work airside and getting all the security clearance and all the passes took a while. I have never done anything like this before in my life and I never realised how much security was behind it. Do you feel part of the community working for Aurigny? I love meeting new people, when I was doing my farming it was only me and my tractor for 14 hours a day and now, I have a team of over 20 to work with. We all get on together and have good banter which makes coming into work a pleasure. How do you find the early mornings? Even when I am on the early shift, I always check my cows and sheep before I come to work! I am up very early.
SkySnacks & Duty Free Enjoy our fantastic range of refreshing drinks and snacks at great prices. See pages 131-132.
SOFT & BAR DRINKS
HOT DRINKS SWEET & SAVOURY SNACKS
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DUTY FREE
AT THE OGH
Après Ski in the heart of St Peter Port, Guernsey Every year we transform our roof terrace into a mountain-top retreat complete with snowy scenery, cosy throws and vintage ski gear.
Enjoy a mulled wine or spiced cider in front of a flickering fire, tuck into delicious comfort food, or snuggle up in rugs and throws with a heavenly hot chocolate.
Sunday Family Day NEW! Packages include:
Kids’ ski passes, special menu, activities and, of course, a visit from the big man himself - that’s Father Christmas!
ShotSki
Tasty teamwork test!
NEW!
ShotSki is the fun, Alpine way to share a round of shots and create those instagram moments.
Chocolate Fountain NEW! Made for indulgence!
Banish those winter blues with this entertaining way of serving do-it-yourself desserts. Coat your selected nibbles with thick, molten Belgian chocolate. It’s the perfect way to indulge in your favourite treat.
Booking: www.theoghhotel.com/alpine-lodge#Alpine Exclusive use: please contact the events team on: 738504 For individual bookings and payment online please go to: or email: meetingsandevents@theoghhotel.com
Ann’s Place, St Peter Port, Guernsey GY1 2NU
En Voyage
ON BOARD
SAFETY FIRST HAND BAGGAGE Once you’ve boarded and located your seat, please ensure your hand baggage is stowed safely. Small bags can be placed underneath the seat in front of you, unless you are seated in an emergency exit row. All other items should be placed inside an overhead locker. Please take care when opening the overhead lockers as items may have moved during flight and falling items may cause injury.
YOUR SAFETY We want to look after you on board and our main concern is for your safety and that of the Aurigny crew. Cabin crew are here primarily for your safety, so please pay attention to their instructions. Any feedback about the crew and flight is welcomed. Life jackets are provided for use in the extremely unlikely event of an emergency. It is an offence to tamper with or remove them without authorisation and this may jeopardise the safety of others. Both staff and passengers have the right to fly within a calm, safe and friendly environment. Aurigny has a zero-tolerance policy towards any violent, disruptive or offensive behaviour, and crew have been trained to deal with such incidents.
SMOKING Smoking of cigarettes and e-cigarettes is not permitted on board, including within the toilets.
FOOD ALLERGIES Allergy information is available for all snacks – please see the packaging label or ask a member of the crew.
ELECTRONIC DEVICES* HANDHELD DEVICES WITH A ‘FLIGHT SAFE’ MODE Handheld devices, such as tablets, e-readers and mobile phones, may be used during all
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phases of the flight, provided the ‘flight safe’ mode is enabled before departure. Larger devices must be safely secured in hand luggage during taxi, take-off and landing, either in the overhead locker or under the seat in front of you. Any device that transmits or receives communications but does not have a flight safe mode must be switched off from doors closed to doors open.
LAPTOPS, ULTRA-BOOKS AND NOTEBOOKS Devices may be used during boarding but not for taxi, takeoff and landing when they must be safely stowed away in hand luggage. They may be used in flight, provided they are set to flight safe mode, with WiFi turned off, and in the case of the ATR, Bluetooth must also be turned off throughout the flight.
DEVICES WITHOUT A 'FLIGHT SAFE' MODE This will include items such as DVD players, electronic games and music players. Only small, handheld devices may be used during taxi, take-off and landing. Larger devices must be switched off and safely stowed away in hand luggage during taxi, take-off and landing.
CAN I USE MY HEADPHONES THROUGHOUT THE FLIGHT? Personal headphones can be used for some stages of the flight and may be attached to your personal device. We ask that customers remove their headphones whenever the seatbelt signs are illuminated during the taxi, take-off and landing phases and during the safety demonstration.
CAN I USE A REMOTE POWER PACK? Aurigny does not allow passengers to charge their devices whilst on board our aircraft.
Please ask a member of cabin crew if you have any queries. *Electronic devices can only be used on the ATR and Embraer E195 aircraft. Unfortunately they cannot be used on the Dornier.
BAGGAGE ADVICE FOR PASSENGERS Always secure a tag onto your baggage containing key contact details, including where you will be staying. Insert a sheet of paper into your bag with key personal details, such as your name, contact details, flight numbers and address of where you will be staying.
BLUETOOTH ACCESSORIES All Bluetooth accessories (for example wireless keyboards, headphones etc.) may be used on the Embraer, but when travelling on the ATR must be switched off whenever the aircraft doors are closed.
ARE THERE ANY TIMES I CANNOT USE MY HANDHELD DEVICES? Under certain circumstances your flight or cabin crew will ask that all electronic devices be switched off, for example, during refuel operations. This will be announced over the PA.
Carry any essential items, such as money and medication, with you on the flight.
AW
Customise the look of your bag to make it easier to identify. Immediately report the loss of checked-in luggage if it does not arrive at your destination. Do this before leaving the airport.
ON BOARD
PASSENGER AWARENESS Welcome on board! We hope that you will enjoy your flight and of course allow others to enjoy theirs. All passengers have the right to safe, secure and comfortable travel on board our aircraft. Unruly or disruptive behaviour would ruin this experience and could also be traumatic for passengers or crew.
UNRULY BEHAVIOUR PRIOR TO FLIGHT: If unruly or disruptive behaviour is noticed prior to the flight, please be aware that transport may be denied.
UNRULY BEHAVIOUR DURING THE FLIGHT: If such behaviour is demonstrated during the flight, please be aware that there may be serious consequences to these actions. The aircraft may divert and make an unscheduled landing, authorities may meet the flight, and the person responsible for the unruly or disruptive behaviour may be arrested, fined, charged and/or prosecuted.
OFFENCES AND OTHER ACTS COMMITTED ON BOARD AIRCRAFT: Under the Air Navigation Order (A.N.O) and Aviation & Maritime Security Act the following are considered as unacceptable behaviours on board: 1. Assault and other acts of interference against a crew member on board a civil aircraft 2. Assault and other acts endangering safety or jeopardising good order and discipline on board a civil aircraft 3. Other offences committed on board a civil aircraft
It is for this reason that we ask all passengers to always: 1. Follow crew member instructions promptly 2. Respect crew members and fellow passengers 3. Behave in a safe and appropriate manner 4. Refrain from endangering the safety of the aircraft or its occupants
OFFENCES TO AVOID: Assaulting, intimidating, threatening a crew member or passenger
Smoking anywhere on board, including in the lavatories
Refusing to follow instructions from the crew
Tampering with the smoke detectors
Intoxicated or disorderly conduct or consuming alcohol which was not provided by crew members
Using a portable electronic device when not permitted to do so
Engaging in or displaying any indecent or lewd behaviour
Removing or damaging safety or emergency equipment, the aircraft or property on board
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GUERNSEY
HAVE YOURSELF A MERRY LITTLE ISLANDS BREAK Throughout the festive season, Guernsey is always bursting with life. From cosy indoor events to town markets and live music, there are plenty of reasons to love the islands of Guernsey during the winter months.
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THE NORTHERN DELIGHTS EXPERIENCE The Duke of Richmond Hotel in St Peter Port is creating its very own winter wonderland with a number of beautifully decorated domes on their roof terrace for an ‘Arctic’ experience. Groups of families, friends or colleagues can enjoy a private bar serving themed cocktails and a Nordic/ Alaskan-inspired menu with tasty dishes such as Alaskan crab mac and cheese, Lapland meatballs and Swedish Raggmunk for vegetarians. THE NORTHERN DELIGHTS EXPERIENCE
The family fun will begin at around 4pm on both days with islanders and visitors gathering for this highly anticipated visit from the North Pole!
CHRISTMAS MARKETS AND LATE-NIGHT SHOPPING Local producers will bring their stalls to the Market Square in St Peter Port with a wide selection of unique gifts including handmade crafts, hampers, jewellery and children’s presents. Grab a hot drink and a mince pie and wander through the quaint cobbled streets. The Christmas Market dates are: Saturdays – 30 November, 7, 14 & 21 December plus Thursdays - 5, 12 & 19 December.
ST SAVIOUR’S CHURCH CONCERT SERIES
THE ALPINE LODGE From 15 November until 5 January, the Old Government House Hotel & Spa – which is just a stone’s throw away from the town centre – will be transforming its terrace into a cosy and stylish après ski setting. Complete with snowy scenery, a flickering fire, mulled wine and festive food, you’ll feel like you’re in a snug ski chalet. For £39 per person your three-hour Alpine Lodge Pass includes mulled wine or cider on arrival, a food platter, drinks tokens, ‘create your own’ hot chocolate and a chocolate fountain. New children’s passes are also being introduced with the opportunity to meet Father Christmas.
THE CHRISTMAS LIGHTS SWITCH-ON Father Christmas will pay a visit to St Peter Port’s town centre on 30 November and the Bridge in St Sampson’s on 6 December to officially turn on the outdoor lights that add a great deal of colour and sparkle to the island’s most popular shopping spots.
St Saviour’s Church is holding a series of concerts in 2019, and its final two will be happening on Friday 8 November and Wednesday 4 December. November’s concert will feature the Guernsey Welsh Male Voice Choir and December’s will offer a cappella, classic, gospel and folk performances by The Accidentals – the island’s newest mixed voice choir.
CANDIE CHRISTMAS Candie Christmas is taking place at the Guernsey Museum at Candie Gardens every Sunday in December (except the 29) with live music, Santa’s Grotto, crafts for all ages, family films, themed trails in the museum galleries and more. The café will also be open for hot drinks, mince pies and snacks. Head to museums.gov.gg for further details and grotto timings.
GUERNSEY’S ANNUAL ICE RINK WILL RETURN TO LE FRIQUET GARDEN CENTRE IN CASTEL FROM 7 DECEMBER UNTIL 5 JANUARY. THE ALPINE LODGE
MAIN IMAGE ©VISITGUERNSEY IMAGE ABOVE ©THE DUKE OF RICHMOND HOTEL IMAGE RIGHT ©THE OLD GOVERNMENT HOUSE HOTEL
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ABOVE: THE BOXING DAY DIP ©GUERNSEY PRESS RIGHT: ICE SKATE GUERNSEY ©BLUE DIAMOND GROUP BELOW & RIGHT: FESTIVE ST PETER PORT ©VISITGUERNSEY
GUERNSEY’S BOXING DAY DIP WILL BE MAKING A SPLASH ON 26 DECEMBER AS HUNDREDS OF ISLANDERS TAKE TO THE SEA TO RAISE MONEY FOR THE GUERNSEY CHESHIRE HOME.
ICE SKATE GUERNSEY Guernsey’s annual ice rink will return to Le Friquet Garden Centre in Castel from 7 December until 5 January. The rink is located in the central atrium of the garden centre and the event offers a fabulous ‘Skate, Shop & Enjoy’ experience for the whole family. Le Friquet is well known for its award-winning Christmas displays which you won’t want to miss.
BOXING DAY DIP Guernsey’s Boxing Day Dip will be making a splash on 26 December as hundreds of islanders take to the sea to raise money for the Guernsey Cheshire Home. The atmosphere is always fantastic as crowds gather at Cobo Bay for 11am. It’s a refreshingly fun event that encourages fancy dress - if you’re not feeling brave or you don’t have a towel at the ready, then cheering spectators are always welcome! For more information on winter events, go to visitguernsey.com to browse the latest ‘what’s on’ calendar.
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6 Our worlds collided in row six, you were just across the aisle, on flight ninety-four you threw me a look, I could not contain my smile.
‘ NU MBERS ’ F EMALE BRA CELET
{ Numbers can be personalised for each item of jewellery, to tell your story }
catherinebest.com
COME IN TO SEE US AT OUR SHOWROOMS
WINTER THEMED DRINKS AND LIGHT BITES UNDER THE DOMES AT THE DUKE OF RICHMOND HOTEL Welcome to our winter wonderland. An evening out with a northern flavour under our new domes on the Roof Terrace. Enjoy an ‘Arctic’ cocktail on arrival then create your own menu from a selection of Nordic- and Alaskan-inspired light bites including meat, fish, vegan and vegetarian options. Snuggle up on the faux fur throws and enjoy the private bar. Available from 25th October, 5pm to 7pm or 8pm to 10pm. Also available for Afternoon Tea, 12noon to 3pm. From
£40 per person
Minimum spend applicable.
T E W
01481 726221 hpinto@dukeofrichmond.com dukeofrichmond.com
Christmas
in Guernsey
Enjoy a magical Christmas with all the festive trimmings from £245.00 per person, based on two people sharing a Classic Double Room. For bookings and T&Cs please visit dukeofrichmond.com
Includes: • Two nights luxury accommodation in a beautifully appointed room or suite • Complimentary mulled wine and mince pies on arrival • Traditional Full English breakfast • Gourmet Christmas Eve dinner and Christmas Day lunch • Festive Turndown The Duke of Richmond Hotel
Cambridge Park, St Peter Port, Guernsey GY1 1UY
En Voyage
GUERNSEY
WINTER WEEKEND:
GUERNSEY With shorter days and darker evenings, why not embrace the elements in beautiful Guernsey this winter? A cliff walk or jaunt across a windy beach followed by a hot chocolate awaits…
Guernsey is home to a huge selection of hotels but is noticeably devoid of chain hotels and faceless organisations. Wherever you choose to stay, you’re bound to be met with a warm reception and top-notch hospitality. If a boutique hideaway in the centre of town is your style, then Ziggurat could be your home away from home. It's a cosy hotel with a bohemian vibe where you can enjoy the Moroccan lounge or eat in the garden huts. Just a short stroll from the bustling High Street and a two-minute walk from the newly renovated Hauteville House, the former home of Victor Hugo, you’d be right in the thick of island life. If you’re looking for luxury, or the lure of a nine-hole golf course, then St Pierre Park Hotel, Spa &
Golf Resort is for you. You’ll enjoy a sense of freedom with the hotel’s 35-acre grounds, the golf course or soothing treatments at the spa, while remaining close to the island’s shopping and business centre.
WHERE TO EAT Be sure to pack your appetite when travelling to Guernsey as the food scene is definitely something to write home about. Whether you want fresh sushi at Hook, French cuisine from Le Petit Bistro, authentic Italian dishes from Gusto or a perfect Chinese meal at China Red, there’s something for every taste. If a first-class steak is your meal of choice then head to Red Grill House & Cocktail Bar. Popular with locals, savour tender meat cooked at over 400 degrees on
an enclosed charcoal grill for extra flavour (and don’t forget to try the truffle chips). If you still have a spring in your step afterwards you can head upstairs to the cocktail bar, which oozes cool. If none of that sounds like your thing, next door are Red’s sister restaurants of Rosso – home to authentic stonebaked pizza - and Tinto Tapas Bar, where you can choose from a huge menu of sharing dishes for all palates. If a sweet snack is something you need whilst out and about, swing by Waffle & Co. near the Liberation Monument where they serve bubble wrap waffles as well as waffle sandwiches, milkshakes and coffees. The Very Berry Eton Mess waffle is delicious and at £6.50, there’ll be change left for another.
IMAGE ©VISITGUERNSEY
WHERE TO STAY
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WHERE TO DRINK
WHERE TO SHOP
A warm hot chocolate after a brisk walk along the beautiful Cobo Bay is the kind of homely experience every winter visitor to the island should enjoy. Cobo Tea Rooms, a hidden gem serving a range of hot drinks as well as a selection of homemade cakes and bakes, is directly opposite the beach.
St Peter Port High Street has an eclectic range of shops. Splash out on designer clothes at Samuel Pepys or pop in to Indica in Le Pollet to find a mix of contemporary gifts and trend-led homeware, stocking new and unusual finds alongside established favourites. Creasey's nursery department, located in Le Bordage, has everything you’d expect to find in a one-stop nursery shop and for the older youngsters, there’s Holeshot and Superdry.
The Old Government House Hotel, the island’s only five-star hotel, plays host to the Alpine Lodge during the winter months – a ski-themed venue complete with rustic wooden walls and a cosy open fire. Snuggle down here THROUGHOUT for an indulgent hot drink NOVEMBER AND or, if it’s something a little DECEMBER, CHRISTMAS stiffer you’re looking for, SHOPPING TRIPS TO the hotel’s Crown Club Bar offers a selection GUERNSEY’S SISTER of premium whiskies ISLAND OF HERM and British gins as well WILL TAKE PLACE as cocktails, beers and ON SATURDAYS AND fine wines, all served up in a traditional lavish SUNDAYS FOR ONLY atmosphere.
£1 PER PERSON.
JB Parker’s Wine Cellar is a stylish bar in which to enjoy an extensive selection of wines with friends. You could always order some charcuterie, cheese and artisan bread to go with it.
ABOVE: THE ALPINE LODGE ©THE OLD GOVERNMENT HOUSE HOTEL
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Late night shopping in town takes place on Thursdays in December where the majority of shops are open until around 9pm. These evenings also include live music and performers, with a fantastic atmosphere as seemingly half the island heads into St Peter Port to gear up for Christmas. For a small island Guernsey really packs a punch when it comes to jewellers, boasting some fabulous home-grown creative talent such as Becky Rowe Jewellery and Catherine Best. In town there’s also Mappin & Webb, Wink and Martin & Martin to name just a few, or head north to St Sampson’s harbour and peruse the luxury brands at Ray & Scott Jewellers. Stay out of town and head to Aladdin’s Cave, an independently-run family business with over 40,000 items on its shelves offering everything
CLOCKWISE FROM ABOVE: FESTIVE MUSIC IN THE HIGH STREET ©VISITGUERNSEY THE CHRISTMAS SHOP AT SAUMAREZ PARK ©VISITGUERNSEY ST PIERRE PARK SPA SWIMMING POOL ZIGGURAT HOTEL HUTS TINTO TAPAS RESTAURANT
from homeware, cookware and outdoor goods to furniture and electrical. The Cave – as it’s fondly known locally – is also home to the biggest range of toys and a newly opened café. So why not grab some presents for the little ones and have some lunch while you’re there? Throughout November and December, Christmas shopping trips to Guernsey’s sister island of Herm will take place on Saturdays and Sundays for only £1 per person. In just 20 minutes, you’ll be across the water ready to browse Herm’s quirky harbour shop, have a few winter warmers at the White House Hotel’s bar or stop off at the Mermaid Tavern for a bite to eat.
WHAT TO DO Sometimes there’s no better way to enjoy the winter than to get outdoors and get a lung full of it. Tasty Walks is a series of 20 self-guided walks which make the most of the very best the island has to offer - its stunning scenery and fabulous food. Whether it's the rugged south coast cliff paths, the long sweeping bays of the west or uncovering the historic past of the island's capital, the island has much to offer in just 25 square miles. For a little history, wander around Castle Cornet, be awed by the Occupation Museum or visit the Little Chapel in St Andrew’s - the smallest chapel in the world. Children to entertain? If you’re looking for an indoor activity, Guernsey Candles has got you covered. A family business, you can either watch intricate candles being made or have a go yourself. Follow it up with a trip to Oaty & Joey’s Playbarn down the road and you’ll really be in the good books.
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En Voyage
Beach Guide GUERNSEY
Guernsey has a beach and bay for everyone. Here we discover the beauty of Chouet Bay.
CHOUET BAY
Chouet Bay is a large sand beach in the north of the island. Whether you’re a sand runner, swimmer, dog walker or sandcastle enthusiast, Chouet is the perfect bay for you. Enjoy a winter walk across the sand with a hot drink from Woodies or take a dip at high tide.
WEST COAST
of dishes, serving everything from steak to lobster with a relaxed dining experience. On certain Sundays throughout the colder months, the bay plays host to the autocross. More information on these can be found on Guernsey Kart & Motor Club’s website gmccc.co.uk
If you’re looking for brunch, lunch or dinner with fantastic views over the bay, Chouet’s Roc Salt is a great choice. One of Guernsey’s favourite beach restaurants, it offers a great range
AUTOCROSS
RO C S A
LT
For more information on Guernsey beaches go to visitguernsey.com
WHAT’S THERE ? CHOUET BAY
ROCK POOLING
LOW
PARKING
KIOSK
TOILETS
SWIM
RESTAURANT
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En Voyage | Aurigny’s Magazine
TIDE
Most of Guernsey’s beaches are dog friendly during summer months but there are restrictions. Between 1 May and 30 September dogs are banned from Fermain, Petit Bot, L’Eree, Vazon (northern end), Cobo, Port Soif, L’Ancresse and Pembroke.
Above the Rockmount, La Reunion’s team produces delicious food in relaxed surroundings, with a view that we believe is one of the best in Guernsey. Call in for a refreshing glass of Rose and a bowl of moules on the terrace – or try one of our cocktails at the stylish bar.
01481 255600 www.lareunion.gg The Rockmount overlooks Cobo beach on the stunning west coast of Guernsey. The Rocky is a place for everyone, offering a large menu with an ever-changing selection of real ales, an extensive range of beers, wines and spirits and our own ‘Rocky cider’. With one of the best views on the island, it is well worth a visit.
01481 252778 www.therocky.gg
The Imperial Hotel is located in one of the Channel Island’s most picturesque settings - overlooking the beautiful Rocquaine Bay in Torteval, Guernsey. Our kitchen serves modern British food, that highlights the best locally sourced ingredients, in our relaxing restaurant.
t: 01481 264044 www.theimperial.gg
The Slaughterhouse is situated in the heart of St Peter Port, close to Castle Cornet. Serving locally sourced British cuisine for lunch and dinner. Or enjoy a drink in our sheltered courtyard with views over Havelet Bay.
T: 01481 712123 www.slaughterhouse.gg
LE VAL DE BECASSE LOCAL MARKET £1,400,000
Situated in a peaceful, rural lane in St. Martin, this ten year old property is low in maintenance yet benefits from sitting on a site of just over one acre. Built to the highest standard, Le Val de Becasse includes open plan kitchen/dining room opening to a decked seating area with sunken Jacuzzi, spacious sitting room enjoying an open fire, whilst a utility room, shower room, office and third bedroom complete this level. The lower ground floor houses games room, gun room and wine cellar. The first floor includes two large en-suite bedrooms with balconies enjoying the rural and sea views to the South, the master bedroom offering a large dressing room. CALL THE LOCAL MARKET TEAM AT LIVINGROOM TODAY ON +44 1481 715555
GUERNSEY OFFICE T +44 1481 715555 W WWW.LIVINGROOM.GG JERSEY OFFICE T +44 1534 717100 W WWW.LIVINGROOM.JE
THE BEACHES OPEN MARKET POA
The Beaches is a stunning property designed to an extremely high specification with front line sea views and enviable sunsets enjoyed directly from the property. Offering Villeroy & Boch bathrooms, Rako lighting system, Siematic kitchen with Gaggenau appliances, the reverse plan accommodation comprises entrance lobby, family room, conservatory, utility room, three double bedrooms all en-suite and cloakroom on the ground floor. The first floor offers fabulous open plan living with kitchen/breakfast area, dining and sitting areas, shower room and master bedroom suite including dressing area and en-suite bathroom with doors leading out to the balcony. The second floor offers a multi-purpose room with balcony. CALL THE OPEN MARKET TEAM AT LIVINGROOM TODAY ON +44 1481 715555
En Voyage
WHAT’S ON
IN THE BAILIWICK?
8-10 November YOGA & WELLBEING RETREAT Herm Island Join Power Yoga in the wonderful setting of Herm Island – the perfect location for a yoga and wellbeing retreat. Two-night package includes boat transfer and accommodation at the White House.
15 November-21 December CHRISTMAS SHOP Folk & Costume Museum Get a taste of old Guernsey and get into the mood for Christmas with the Folk & Costume Museum Christmas Shop. Enjoy a great deal of local
products, quality traditional wooden toys and parlour games, and a wide range of bespoke chocolates and sweets as well as many more items ideal as Christmas gifts. Entry to the shop is free and in addition every Friday all customers will be able to partake in free mulled wine and mince pies. The shop is open 10am4:30pm Tuesday-Sunday.
23 November-15 December CHRISTMAS SHOPPING TRIPS Herm Island On Saturdays and Sundays between these dates, the Travel Trident offers £1 Christmas shopping trips to Herm for those departing and returning on
the same day. Explore the island’s beautiful coastline, enjoy a meal at the Mermaid Tavern and browse the gift shops. No pre-booking – tickets are available on the day of travel.
30 November & 6 December CHRISTMAS LIGHTS SWITCH-ON Various Father Christmas visits both St Peter Port and The Bridge each year to collect letters from children and to turn on the festive lights that adorn the streets of both shopping centres. The fun starts around 4pm both days - St Peter Port on 30 November and The Bridge on 6 December.
NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM ICE RINK
WHAT’S ON ELSEWHERE?
Until 12 January @Natural History Museum, London Skate in the magical atmosphere of the Natural History Museum’s openair ice rink. Nestled in front of the iconic South Kensington museum, the spectacular rink is surrounded by thousands of fairy lights and features a glittering Christmas tree. Visit the museum’s alpine-style Café Bar for winter warmers and watch the skaters glide on the ice from the cafe’s balcony. nhm.ac.uk/visit/exhibitions/ice-rink ©TRUSTEES OF NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM
GOING TO THE UK?
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En Voyage | Aurigny’s Magazine
FLY TO THE UK WITH OUR LATEST DEALS AND SAVINGS AT aurigny.com
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HOTELS
CAR HIRE
FLY TO LONDON GATWICK TO SEE THE NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM ICE RINK
1 December THE MAGIC OF DISNEY Beau Sejour Theatre Returning for its fourth year, Aindre Reece-Sheerin presents the massively popular Magic of Disney at Beau Sejour Theatre with a 12pm and 7pm showing. Face painting starts at 11am for the matinee performance.
1-18 December THE PETIT TRAIN CHRISTMAS TOUR Albert Pier The Petit Train runs early evening Christmas tours in the three weeks leading up to Christmas. The Petit Train runs from Sunday to Wednesday and takes in the Christmas light displays around the Town including a slow and quite magical trip through the Pollet, High Street and Church Square.
16 December CHRISTMAS COURTYARD MARKET Folk & Costume Museum Enjoy a selection of local stalls in the museum courtyard along with Christmas food, drinks and musical entertainment being offered throughout the evening
3-19 December LATE NIGHT CHRISTMAS SHOPPING Various Soak up the festive atmosphere and street entertainment in town each Thursday evening in December as shops stay open until 9pm. The Bridge also hosts its own shopping nights on Tuesdays, taking place on 3, 10 & 17 December this year.
©VISITGUERNSEY
from 4pm-8pm. The Christmas Shop at the museum will also be open, offering free mulled wine.
21 December-4 January JACK AND THE BEANSTALK Beau Sejour Theatre The ever-popular GADOC pantomime is back with its 61st show, family favourite Jack and the Beanstalk. Tickets go on sale in November. Go to gadoc.org.gg for more information.
25-26 December CHRISTMAS SWIMS Various locations On Christmas Day, head to the Bathing Pools St Peter Port for the Polar Bear Swim. Organised by the Guernsey Swimming Club, the swim is free to enter and all entrants will get a certificate. Head out west to Cobo Bay on Boxing Day for the Boxing Day Dip in aid of the Guernsey Cheshire Home. The dip begins at 11am and fancy dress is encouraged!
ICE VILLAGE MANCHESTER
THE HARBOURSIDE CHRISTMAS MARKET
NATIVITY! THE MUSICAL
8 November-31 December @Cathedral Gardens, Manchester
23 November-22 December @Canon’s Road, Bristol
3-7 December @Mayflower Theatre, Southampton
The UK's biggest ever ice attraction comes to Cathedral Gardens in Manchester for Christmas 2019. The Manchester Ice Village will include an Arctic Bar, Santa’s Grotto and ice rink. The Ice Cavern is an amazing interactive ice sculpture experience for the whole family, nearby you’ll find games and entertainment, a stage hosting a variety of talented performers each day, children’s crafts, market stalls and live ice sculpting.
The 2019 Harbourside Christmas Market returns over five festivefuelled weekends this holiday season. The covered walkway will be transformed into a magical Makers’ Market, showcasing 50 of Bristol’s brightest independents and providing a one-stop shop for alternative gift ideas. You’ll find a street food square, live bands and warming mulled beverages.
Following a smash-hit 2018 run in London, Nativity! The Musical embarks on a UK tour this festive season. Feel-good, funny and full of yuletide joy, this cracker of a musical was adapted for the stage by Debbie Isitt, the creator of the much-loved films. The show features all of your favourite singa-long hits including Sparkle and Shine, One Night One Moment, She’s the Brightest Star and a whole host of new songs filled with the spirit of Christmas.
theharboursidemarket co.uk/ christmas-market
icevillage.co.uk
mayflower.org.uk
FLY TO MANCHESTER TO SEE THE ICE VILLAGE
FLY TO BRISTOL TO SEE THE HARBOURSIDE CHRISTMAS MARKET
FLY TO SOUTHAMPTON TO SEE NATIVITY! THE MUSICAL
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Whether you’re seeking snow,
Adventuring abroad for Autumn? Call 723069 or order your foreign currency online at www.batif.gg
or searching for sun this winter...
ororFROM CK BA OM FR BACK UR YO UR YO YS?? DA HO YS LILIDA HO buy back*
Call 723069 or order your foreign currency online at www.batif.gg
ll y back* Wewiwi llubu We might want yo or t rwa or yo thints ide nsgh toucomi s thi r ide ns co to worthy cause worthy cause
*Ts & Cs apply *Ts & Cs apply
PLEASE DONATE YOUR SPARE PLEASE DONATECURRENCY YOUR SPARE FOREIGN FOREIGN CURRENCY TO CHANNEL ISLANDS TOSEARCH CHANNEL ISLANDS AIR AND HELP US TO AIR SEARCH AND US TO RAISE £6,000 HELP TOWARDS RAISE £6,000 TOWARDS 30 FIREPROOF FLIGHT SUITS 30 FIREPROOF FLIGHT SUITS Look out for the collection box or envelopes at BATIF or in most Post Office branches^. ^excluding Co-op branchesor in most Post Office branches^. Look out for the collection box or envelopes at BATIF ^excluding Co-op branches
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FROM GUERNSEY TO GRENOBLE From January to March, Aurigny operates direct flights from Guernsey to Grenoble but you can also fly to the ‘Capital of the Alps’ via Gatwick. With a fantastic choice of ski resorts within easy reach of the airport, you’ll be on the slopes in no time.
©LIGHTKEY-ISTOCKPHOTO.COM
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L O N D O N > C O N N E C T I N G
Travel At just 213 metres above sea level, Grenoble is France’s lowest city. It’s located in the southeast of the country at the foot of the French Alps, at the confluence of the Drac and Isère rivers. The snow-capped peaks of the Belledonne, Vercors and Chartreuse massifs overlook Grenoble, which has a rich history, vibrant nightlife and lively cultural scene. With 20 ski resorts of varying sizes surrounding the city, flying to Grenoble gives you lots of options for a winter break.
HOW TO GET THERE You can fly directly to Grenoble with Aurigny from 18 January-7 March 2020, but if these dates aren’t convenient for you, it’s easy to get there via Gatwick. Aurigny operates regular flights to Gatwick and both easyJet and British Airways fly directly to Grenoble in the skiing season. The flight takes one hour 45 minutes and France is one hour ahead of GMT.
WHEN TO GO Grenoble’s ski season runs from early December to late April, and snow reliability is good. Larger resorts have snow-making equipment and you can even ski in the summer on the Deux Alpes Glacier. In the summer months the French Alps are ideal for hiking, mountain biking, rock climbing and paragliding, and the Tour de France regularly passes through Grenoble.
LES 2 ALPES ©KISA_MARKIZA-ISTOCKPHOTO.COM 32
En Voyage | Aurigny’s Magazine
WHERE TO STAY Well-known resorts within an hour’s drive of Grenoble include Chamrousse and Villard-deLans. Chamrousse comprises three villages, with Le Recoin and Roche Béranger having the best range of services. The area has 90km of varied terrain, so it’s particularly suitable for families and mixed-ability groups, as well as cross-country skiers. Grenoble lies at the gateway to the Massif de l’Oisans, home of several internationally renowned resorts including Alpe d’Huez. This vast ski area is liftlinked to the surrounding villages of Auris-en-Oisans, Oz-en-Oisans, Villard Reculas and Vaujany. Alpe d’Huez caters well for experienced skiers, with the world’s highest vertical-drop figures and the Sarenne, at 16km the world’s longest pisted ski-run. Other options in the Isère region include Les 2 Alpes, which is linked to the off-piste playground of La Grave, and Serre-Chevalier, one of the biggest ski resorts in Europe. Wherever you choose, there is a good range of hotels and self-catered apartments. Our website aurignyski.com is full of suggestions and special offers, which include Hotel Alpazur in Serre-Chevalier and some wonderful chalets in Alpe d’Huez. Why not combine a stay in the mountains with a couple of days in Grenoble? With a sauna and
fitness centre, Okko Hotels Grenoble Jardin Hoche is a design hotel with views over Hoche Park. In the evening guests are offered a complimentary drink and snacks. Four-star Le Grand Hôtel is located in the city centre; guest rooms are soundproofed and some have a balcony. Three-star Hôtel de l’Europe, the city’s oldest hotel, is great value for money and also centrally located.
EATING & DRINKING Crozets are tiny squares of buckwheat pasta, delicious when baked into a creamy gratin. Caillette are another local delicacy: pork meatballs originating in nearby Drôme. Gratin Dauphinois is a traditional dish of creamy potato gratin topped with crème fraîche and cheese. Grenoble is known for its walnuts, noix de Grenoble, which are even used in a local beer, Le Mandrin. This is Chartreuse liqueur country: it’s produced at the local monastery, which sits on the mountain range of the same name, by monks who have taken a vow of silence. The complex flavour comes from a mixture of 130 herbs, flowers and spices which are slowly aged in oak casks.
WHAT TO DO
is a wonderful destination in its own right. It has a charming historic centre, with cobbled streets and pretty squares, and plenty of culture. La Musée de Grenoble has one of the best collections of fine arts in France, and its collection of modern and contemporary art has grown to become one of the largest in Europe. You can see works by painters such as Rubens, Renoir, Gauguin, Monet, Matisse, Picasso, Kandinsky, Joan Miró, Paul Klee and Andy Warhol. There are other museums devoted to archaeology, history and local culture. The Bastille, an ancient series of fortifications on the mountainside, is Grenoble’s most popular tourist attraction and offers fantastic views over the city below and the surrounding mountains. You can reach it by taking the Grenoble-Bastille cable car, known to locals as ‘Les Bulles’ (The Bubbles). Grenoble has manufactured gloves since 1328 and at the industry’s height during the late 18th century, 64 glove makers fashioned more than a million pairs a year. Ganterie Lesdiguières still makes beautiful kidskin gloves for a very high-end market. For all your currency needs, order and pay online at Batif.gg or call the BATIF team on 01481 723069.
If you’re a winter sports enthusiast, the mountains may be entertainment enough. However, Grenoble
or hassle-free transfers of your baggage F from Aurigny to onward destinations, and even your onward boarding card, why not try out the flight connections service, GatwickConnects? Search ‘GatwickConnects’ on gatwickairport.comfor more information.
GETTING THERE FROM GUERNSEY
GATWICK CONNECTS
Looking for a quick and easy way to transfer your luggage?
Direct flights to Grenoble from Guernsey leave at 11:00, and on your return journey you’ll arrive at 15:50. If you’re travelling via Gatwick, there’s no need to stay overnight at the airport if you catch the 16:10 (British Airways) or 17:50 (easyJet), returning on the 12:10 (BA) or 09:00 (easyJet).
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MADE IN GUERNSEY
JEWELLERY DREAMS There aren’t many people who can claim to have had such a clear and compelling vision of their future at the age of eight, but that’s exactly when Becky Rowe knew she wanted to be a jewellery designer and maker, from following a close family friend who worked as a silversmith.
‘People come to Guernsey and like the idea of picking up a piece of Guernsey jewellery. We get quite a lot of customers who do their research before their visit to the island and make arrangements to come and see us during their stay.’ While many of those visitors are holidaymakers looking for a lasting memento of their time in the Bailiwick, there are others who were originally from Guernsey wanting an island connection with a landmark moment in their life. ‘I’ve had people who used to live on the island get in touch asking me to make their engagement and wedding rings. They want somebody from Guernsey to design and create something unique for that very special moment. I love working creatively with customers to help design and make the item of jewellery that they’re dreaming of into a reality - whether they have their own specific ideas or need inspiration!’
‘It’s all I’ve worked towards since then,’ Becky tells us from her jewellery workshop and showroom in St Martin's. ‘18 years ago, I embarked upon an apprenticeship with local jewellers. Shortly after finishing my apprenticeship I studied for my design diploma at university, and then gained further experience working in both London and Guernsey. Eight years ago, I launched my business in partnership with my brother.’
Over the years, Becky has been commissioned to create pieces to mark all moments of life, from birth to death, and all the key times in between. ‘A piece of jewellery is probably the most personal item you wear on a daily basis. It can say a lot about you, what styles you like, whether you prefer statement pieces, delicate items, or a mix of both. I find it very fulfilling that pieces I create now will hold their value and will be worn for many years to come.’
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Becky’s business is a family affair, while she focuses on the design and manufacturing, it’s her brother Sam who focuses on the ‘business’ side of the partnership. ‘It works really well, and we make a great team. We’re typical siblings in that we can argue one minute and then it’s all forgotten the next. We have each other's interests at heart, which gives me the encouragement to develop ideas and try new things.’ Becky’s plan is to bring out further new collections and create more one-off pieces which are very popular with her ever growing client base, as she and Sam build the business and grow their reputation for beautiful and bespoke hand-made jewellery.
‘There’s nothing better than going down to the beach in the summer, or just enjoying the ruggedness of the coast in the winter. My favourite place is Grandes Rocques on the west coast.’ For now, though, it’s back to work on more stunning pieces of jewellery that are filled with the passion she discovered as an eight year old, which - thanks to her hard work and dedication - is something we can all enjoy. beckyrowejewellery.com
Sunday is Becky’s day off, and a chance for her to reconnect with her island home.
‘THERE’S NOTHING BETTER THAN GOING DOWN TO THE BEACH IN THE SUMMER, OR JUST ENJOYING THE RUGGEDNESS OF THE COAST IN THE WINTER. MY FAVOURITE PLACE IS GRANDES ROCQUES ON THE WEST COAST.’
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En Voyage | Aurigny’s Magazine
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CLIFTON SUSPENSION BRIDGE ©NAVOGEL-ISTOCKPHOTO.COM
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DID YOU KNOW THAT BRISTOL HAS THE MOST MICHELIN STARS IN THE UK OUTSIDE OF LONDON?
BRISTOL
WINTER WEEKEND:
BRISTOL Aurigny’s direct flight to Bristol Airport lands you right in the heart of the south west. The postcardpretty city truly comes to life in the winter months, boasting a huge variety of things to see and do, a rich street art heritage and some of the best Christmas markets in the south west.
For something a little simpler, you can’t beat The Clifton Sausage, a British food restaurant specialising in fresh, local and seasonal dishes. The stunning pies at Bristol-born Pieminister will have you licking your lips too, and they’ve recently added vegan options to their range to boot.
WHERE TO STAY
WHERE TO DRINK
It’s all about location when it comes to accommodation in Bristol. If you’re keen to stay close to the hustle and bustle of the city, the four-star Mercure Bristol Grand Hotel on Broad Street or the Bristol Marriott Royal Hotel on College Green have you covered.
The south west is famed for its cider and scrumpy, and you’ll find pubs and bars in Bristol offering a host of different varieties. Start your Bristol cider experience at the Bristol Cider Shop on Wapping Wharf. Here you’ll find shelves stacked with 100 types of craft cider, all made from 100% fresh-pressed juice. For in-depth cider discoveries from the team, one of the cider tasting sessions is the way to go. The huge list of ciders at Apple and the tasting board of five ciders at The Stable will both keep connoisseurs well hydrated too.
Or for something a little further out, Bristol is uniquely placed right in the heart of beautiful English countryside, and less than 30 minutes away from Somerset, the Cotswolds and the rolling Mendip hills. Just 12 miles north of Bristol is Thornbury Castle, a beautiful 16th-century building, which was once owned by Henry VIII. This country house hotel set in 15-acre grounds of regal splendour is renowned for being one of the finest country house hotels in England. Berwick Lodge and Avon Gorge by Hotel du Vin are both worth a look too.
WHERE TO EAT
Sticking with vegan now and Masa + Mezcal on Stokes Croft is a Mexican cantina with a dedicated vegan menu that includes tacos, tostadas and nibbles.
Unwind after a long day of exploring with a drink at Hyde & Co, a bar with an eclectic vibe, or head to The Clockwork Rose, a steampunk-themed cocktail bar following the notorious adventures of Captain Sebastian Commodore. MERCURE BRISTOL GRAND HOTEL
Did you know that Bristol has the most Michelin stars in the UK outside of London? Casamia has retained its Michelin star for a decade now whilst the latest of Bristol's restaurants to receive the coveted status is Bulrush in Cosham, which has been making waves in the city since it opened in late 2015. The Pony and Trap may look quite unassuming from the outside, but the standard of the food here is amazing. Whether you opt for the tasting menu or their Sunday roast, you're in for a treat.
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CLIFTON ©DESTINATION BRISTOL
WHERE TO SHOP
WHAT TO DO
Whether you’re into tiny popup shops selling unique fashion designs or shopping complexes with everything you need under one roof, Bristol has it all.
Make sure you visit Clifton Suspension Bridge while in Bristol. Whether you walk across it, take a bus underneath it or admire it from the White Lion Bar terrace with a drink in hand, it’s certainly something to tick off the list. Follow that with one of Bristol’s walking tours and immerse yourself in its history, sightseeing or the famous Banksy street art which dominates the city before an evening of theatre or performance art.
Head to the Bristol Shopping Quarter and enjoy its two covered shopping areas – Cabot Circus and The Galleries – where you can flit between high street favourites and one-off wonders. Make sure you don’t miss the boutiques and cafes of St. James' Arcade, with its historic and authentic Victorian vibe. The Mall at Cribbs Causeway is a one-stop shop for your festive shopping needs. It hosts a lineup of over 130 top name stores including John Lewis, Marks & Spencer, Thomas Sabo, Jack Wills, Links of London and Office. It’s open late every weekday evening until 9pm and has over 7,000 free parking spaces. There’s also a dedicated bus station which provides services from the city centre and surrounding areas. Finally, why not peruse the pretty streets of Clifton Village? Meander through the two-storey Victorian Clifton Arcade before resting your feet at the Ivy Clifton Brasserie or sip on a hot chocolate and watch the world go by at the Primrose Café.
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In the heart of Bristol’s city centre, Bristol Christmas Market (8 Nov-23 Dec) will once again be based in the pedestrianised area of Broadmead. Home to over 50 unique stalls, you’ll find an array of traders selling seasonal delights, crafts and unique items. Enjoy heated seating, delicious drinks and live music in the Jäger Barn Bar, and also try their hand at the much-loved sport of curling for some competitive fun.
CHRISTMAS GERMAN MARKET ©C.LATHOM SHARP 2009
PIEMINISTER PIES
However you choose to get around the city, don’t leave before you travel by boat one way or another. You can take a tour on water, hop on and off the Bristol ferry service or even eat on one. Dine with a difference on board one of the converted boats that are moored on Bristol’s Floating Harbour. Whether you’re looking for bridges, boats or Banksy, there’s a reason Bristol is one of the UK’s top tourist destinations. CHRISTMAS GERMAN MARKET ©PAWEL OLSZEWSK
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Kitchens | Bathrooms | Bedrooms | Tiles Visit our showroom, call 234000 or visit cic.gg/bathrooms
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WINTER WEEKEND:
SOUTHAMPTON
WESTQUAY SKATE
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Southampton is the ideal spot for a weekend away, offering a wealth of activities, dining options, desirable shopping opportunities and exciting evening entertainment. WHERE TO STAY There’s no shortage of suitable accommodation to suit every budget. Reliable economical favourites include the Premier Inn, conveniently situated just a few minutes’ walk from the Westquay shopping centre; and Jurys Inn, overlooking picturesque East Park. If you’re wanting a more luxurious stay without a hefty price tag, the Southampton Harbour Hotel & Spa in Ocean Village is a popular fivestar hotel, known for its exceptional customer service and outstanding amenities, including a stunning swimming pool and extensive selection of spa treatments.
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WHERE TO EAT Take your pick of cuisine and prepare to be spoilt for choice dining in this city. If your measure of a place needs to be tested via its burger offering, head to The Rockstone for enormous 10oz patties of every conceivable style, served in a locally baked brioche bun with all the trimmings. Even your vegan and gluten-free friends will be welcomed with open arms here for mouth-watering sweet potato and bean patties.
WESTQUAY PAULTONS PARK
If sharing a romantic meal for two in a high-end establishment is on your agenda, be sure to pay Oxford Brasserie a visit. French, English, Italian, Mediterranean, American and Spanish dishes are all on the menu, made with the finest ingredients and beautifully presented. The food, combined with the inviting, intimate setting, is perfect for treating your partner. Those seeking a down-to-earth pub environment with a twist need to give Dancing Man Brewery a try. Handmade pies and Sunday roasts are their forte, with a wide selection to choose from on either the bar or main menus, plus an assortment of additional menus that have been specially tailored to vegans, children and even dogs! Locally sourced produce is the mantra here and the desserts are no exception, with New Forest sorbets and ice creams accompanying many of the puddings.
DANCING MAN BREWERY
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THE ECLECTIC STYLING OF ORANGE ROOMS
WHERE TO DRINK
WHERE TO SHOP
WHAT TO DO
For something a little different as a daytime pick-me-up, have a bubble tea at Bubble Drop on level two of Westquay South. With so many fruit and milk-flavoured teas on offer, and an assortment of toppings to choose from, you might find yourself coming back to this stand more than once over a weekend.
With over 100 enticing shops all under one roof, Westquay Shopping Centre is the goto destination for enthusiastic shoppers. Brand addicts can make a day of it, indulging in the best of fashion, footwear, jewellery and technology stores. Whether it's Pandora and Swatch for those with a keen eye for all things sparkly, selecting new wardrobe additions from designer stores like Boss, Karen Millen and Timberland, or a new pair of shoes calling from Office or Schuh, Westquay’s got you covered. Travel light or bring an empty case as it’s hard to resist buying with so much choice available. Christmas shopping for little ones is particularly easy here, with the Build-A-Bear Workshop, Flying Tiger and Smiggle stores all within Westquay.
If a weekend of historical exploration sounds appealing, then the SeaCity Museum for fascinating insights into the story of the Titanic, the Solent Sky Museum and the Southampton Tudor House and Garden are a must.
DEPENDING ON THE TIMING OF YOUR VISIT, NATIVITY! THE MUSICAL, JULES HOLLAND, PETER PAN, WE WILL ROCK YOU, AND SWAN LAKE ARE JUST SOME OF THE ENTERTAINMENT OFFERINGS BETWEEN NOVEMBER AND FEBRUARY. If cocktails are your thing, Bring & Mix, 1932 and Orange Rooms all come highly recommended, based on both the atmosphere within these venues and their teams of passionate mixologists who are always keen to showcase their skills. If you fancy trying your hand at creating your own winning cocktail combination, why not book a Cocktail Masterclass at Orange Rooms in advance and you can get creative under the guidance of a master mixologist?
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If you’re reluctantly accompanying a keen shopper, why not break up the day with a game at Hollywood Bowl or test your nerves participating in an escape room experience at Locked In A Room? Alternatively, you could helpfully suggest that your loved one takes all the time they need, earning you some extra brownie points and a sneaky break watching a film or two at Showcase Cinema de Lux.
Continue your cultured weekend with a night at the Mayflower Theatre. Depending on the timing of your visit, Nativity! The Musical, Jules Holland, Peter Pan, We Will Rock You, and Swan Lake are just some of the entertainment offerings between November and February. Avid sports followers can time their visit to coincide with watching one of Southampton FC’s many home games lined up for the coming months at St Mary’s Stadium. Meanwhile, more active family fun can be had at Hawthorns Urban Wildlife Centre or Paulton’s Park, featuring over 70 rides and attractions for all ages and the excitement of Peppa Pig World for devoted young fans of this loveable cartoon character. However you choose to invest your weekend time in Southampton, it’s highly likely you’re going to want to keep returning here for further adventuring.
ST PIERRE PARK HOTEL, SPA & GOLF RESORT ST PETER PORT, GUERNSEY
A Christmas Break � 23 – 27 December
With wide open spaces, views across our lake and grounds, and an award-winning spa, St Pierre Park Hotel offers a wonderful retreat for your festive celebrations. Whether you seek to indulge or explore this season, make it extraordinary on the enchanting island of Guernsey. Enjoy an island resort experience, including a variety of entertainment, fine food and great company with a welldeserved Christmas break. Four night package from £380 per person based on 2 people sharing a Classic bedroom. A £45 supplement for single occupancy will apply per room per night.
St Pierre Park Hotel, Spa & Golf Resort Rohais, St Peter Port, Guernsey GY1 1FD 01481 728282 stpierrepark@handpicked.co.uk handpicked.co.uk/stpierrepark
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LONDON
WINTER WEEKEND:
LONDON When the temperatures drop and the days get shorter, London transforms into a magical winter wonderland. With cosy pub fires, bustling seasonal markets, spectacular outdoor events and jaw-dropping January sales, there are so many reasons why this city should be on your winter travel hit list. The UK capital knows how to put on a show and if a big spectacle is what you’re after, you can look forward to dazzling winter festivals, Christmas activities on a scale like no other, New Year fireworks and the largest Chinese New Year festivities outside of Asia. However, London also knows how to keep it low key, and some of its best kept wintertime secrets play out away from the crowds. Seek out imaginative pop-up restaurants and rooftop bars or take an evening stroll through the city’s gorgeous green spaces, illuminated by twinkling festive lights. London is not a cheap city but, with a bit of research, you can find accommodation to suit most budgets, especially in January and February, when prices tend to be lower.
Another plus side of visiting in winter is that many of the city’s attractions are less crowded. Here are just a few reasons why a trip to London should be on your itinerary this winter.
WHERE TO STAY What could be cosier than staying in a pub? The Grafton Arms in Fitzrovia has eight luxurious boutique rooms that are reasonably priced, considering its convenient location near London’s West End. If you’re looking to impress a loved one, then Chelsea’s Blakes Hotel, billed as ‘the most excitingly fashionable small hotel in the world,’ offers modern decadence and drama. If sleek, contemporary design is more your thing, the Shangri-La Hotel at The Shard will offer all this in addition to the most spectacular high-rise views of London.
WHERE TO EAT Roaring fires and candlelit ambience are not hard to find in one of the world’s great gastronomic cities. Le Garrick, in the West End, is a London institution and remains one of the cosiest spots to indulge in cocklewarming French cuisine. Fondue is about as wintry a dish as they get and London’s oldest Swiss restaurant, St Moritz, serves up the real deal, as well as other alpine classics like raclette and bratwurst with rosti. Apres-ski vibes are not hard to come by during wintertime in London, with alpineinspired pop-ups springing up across the city. Skylight at Tobacco Dock, a popular rooftop bar, undergoes a winter makeover every year, complete with the city’s only rooftop ice rink, mulled drinks and fondue, to accompany its regular street food menu.
THE FESTIVE BUSTLE ©LONDON & PARTNERS 46
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THE NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM ICE RINK ©LONDON & PARTNERS
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LONDON IS NOT A CHEAP CITY BUT, WITH A BIT OF RESEARCH, YOU CAN FIND ACCOMMODATION TO SUIT MOST BUDGETS, ESPECIALLY IN JANUARY AND FEBRUARY, WHEN PRICES TEND TO BE LOWER. 47
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WINTER WONDERLAND ©IMG 2018
WHERE TO DRINK Covered in foliage on the outside, and packed with Victorian clutter on the inside, The Cross Keys in Covent Garden is an atmospheric spot to enjoy a winter warmer. If you like entertainment while you drink, how about a game of curling? The Social Fun and Games Club at Roof East, Stratford, is yet to announce its winter theme for 2019, but it offered curling, igloo dining dens, a ski-lodge bar and hot cocktails last year. Expect the same enthusiasm and attention to detail this year. Leave winter at the door when you visit actor Idris Elba’s newly opened bar in Covent Garden, The Parrot. It’s a tropicalthemed paradise, with live acts playing every night and rainforest-inspired cocktails.
WHERE TO SHOP London is a must-do on any shopping itinerary, and if you love a bargain, then the January sales are where you’ll find the biggest names sell the biggest brands at knockdown prices. Hit your favourite high street shops on Oxford Street or browse the mid-priced fashion stores on Regent Street, also home to the famous Hamleys Toy Shop and Liberty department store. Splash out on designer clothes on Bond Street and head to
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Knightsbridge for the Rolls Royce of January sales at Harrods. For independent boutiques and cutting-edge brands, visit Carnaby Street, and load up on festive foodie treats at Borough Market.
WHAT TO DO From 8 November to 5 January, the Southbank Centre’s winter festival transforms its Thames-side location into a Christmas market, complete with festive shows and entertainment. Also, from November through to January, in Hyde Park, is Winter Wonderland - the place to immerse yourself in all things festive, with Christmas markets, apres-ski themed bars and cafes, a giant observation wheel, a circus, ice shows and the largest open-air ice rink in the UK. Other great winter ice-skating destinations include the Natural History Museum and Somerset House. Film fans will love exploring Hogwarts in the Snow at the Warner Bros. Studio Tour – The Making of Harry Potter. Take a self-guided walk around the iconic Harry Potter film sets, which are beautifully decked out for the winter season. If you’re in the city in late January, don’t miss London’s Chinese New Year celebrations. The Year of the Rat will be welcomed in with a spectacular parade, lively stage performances, and foodie treats.
COCKTAILS AT THE PARROT
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Travel
NOTTINGHAM
WINTER WEEKEND:
NOTTINGHAM
WINTER WONDERLAND ©NOTTINGHAM CITY COUNCIL
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If you thought Nottingham was just about Robin Hood, you really are missing a trick. You’ll find more than your fair share of reasons to explore the legend of the hero who stole from the rich to give to the poor, but you’ll also be visiting a city that feels alive with things to see, things to do, and no shortage of places to pause and reflect on its history but also its vibrancy today. And thanks to Aurigny’s service to East Midlands Airport, you really are a short hop away from a short break to remember.
WHERE TO STAY
For something extra special, the sevencourse tasting menu at Sat Bains is a oncein-a-lifetime experience. The restaurant's location, on an industrial estate, might not be what you were expecting on arrival, but don’t let appearances deceive. Those in the know are quick to recommend this place for a meal where the front of house team and sommeliers bring to life the magic created in the kitchen. At the relaxed end of the scale is Jam Café, a favourite with locals looking for somewhere to hang out with friends morning, noon or night. It may just be a brunch after a lazy start to your day, or food you can share with friends in the evening as the DJ ups the tempo and vibe. Think chilled cafe bar by day, and a venue where anything from a live band to a poet or comedian may suddenly appear by night.
The beauty of Nottingham is the presence of the big hotel brands you know and trust, but without the price tag you may have got used to in bigger cities. From the Crowne Plaza in the heart of the city to the Mercure, a four-star boutique hotel the result of the multi-million pound refurbishment of a grand Georgian townhouse. If a budget option with a more personal service is to your liking, The Walton in Nottingham’s historic Park district offers a home from home just minutes from the buzz of the city centre, but for substantially less than you might expect for its location and facilities. Frankly, there really is no shortage of warm and welcoming accommodation options, including family-run B&Bs that have kept up with the times and offer a cosy bolt hole for a good night’s sleep.
WHERE TO EAT Whether your winter weekend is about being busy and just grabbing a quick bite on the go, or whether sitting down for a meal to remember is at the heart of your break away, Nottingham serves up a great choice of places to eat.
JAM CAFE
WHERE TO DRINK For venues with views to impress and inspire, the Pitcher & Piano on High Pavement is worth checking out. Not only is this converted church something special in its own right, but on a crisp winter’s day or night its outdoor terrace will make you feel connected with all that’s happening in the city. And we should mention their weekday early evening happy hours include £5 cocktails!
ROBIN HOOD STATUE ©VISIT NOTTINGHAMSHIRE
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GOING TO NOTTINGHAM? FLY TO THE EAST MIDLANDS WITH OUR LATEST DEALS AND SAVINGS AT
aurigny.com Talking of which, Be At One is the place to go for some elegant cocktail time in surroundings that exude sophistication, thanks to mixologists who know their stuff and create their concoctions with more than an air of theatre, while you can sit back on the plush banquettes reflecting on your day. And Rescue Rooms bills itself as Nottingham’s favourite bar and venue with a never-ending roster of entertainment in a cool vibe bar where they’ll even serve a board game with your drink if you fancy a complete change of pace.
WHERE TO SHOP Nottingham is a shopper’s paradise. From two major shopping centres - the Victoria and the Broadmarsh - to a selection of independent boutiques and all those big-name high-street brands, you have it all on your doorstep. The city’s boast of being a creative hub means shopping has become an even greater pleasure in recent years with no shortage of truly unique gift and treat ideas on offer from those passionate about their crafts. Flying Horse Walk is a great starting point for your artisan adventure. Debbie Ryan is the city’s current number onerated independent store. Her stunning homemade jewellery and homeware attracts people from near and far, and you may arrive as she’s delivering one of her workshops which give you an insight into how she goes about making her stunning products.
WHAT TO DO If history is your thing, the National Justice Museum is something completely different, offering an eye-opening history of crime and punishment in the United Kingdom. It sounds sinister, but it’s well worth a visit, if for no other reason than to remind yourself how good we have it today.
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But it’s not just above ground where Nottingham delights, from its art galleries to its theatres and music venues, because beneath the city streets is a hidden network of more than 500 sandstone caves - called the City of Caves. This secret world will give you an insight into how life used to be for city dwellers, with a medieval underground tannery and a more recent repurposing as a place people sought refuge in the Second World War all part of your labyrinthine adventure.
NOT JUST FOR MERRY MEN... Yes, it was Robin Hood who, arguably, put Nottingham on the map. But there’s much more to see and do. For merry men, women and children, follow in the legend’s footsteps and see why Nottingham is securing its spot today as the perfect place for that winter weekend away. WINTER WONDERLAND ©NOTTINGHAM CITY COUNCIL
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Travel MANCHESTER
WINTER WEEKEND:
MANCHESTER
TATTU RESTAURANT
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No matter the weather, Manchester has something to offer all ages. So, if you’re planning a family trip, romantic getaway or shopping with the girls, you’re in for a good time. Here’s our guide to where to stay, what to do, and the best places to refuel. WHERE TO STAY
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LOOK AHEAD, BOOK AHEAD Planning pays off. Did you know passengers who booked flights 30 days or more in advance over the past year saved 25% on average compared to the average fare?
For an iconic destination, try the Lowry Hotel - a five-star contemporary hotel on the banks of the River Irwell, where Salford meets Manchester. The hotel takes its name from the famous Salford artist LS Lowry, so it’s no surprise that art plays a large part in the décor. The bar area showcases pieces by Comme Ca Art, which change every six weeks, there’s an installation by David Begbie, and art by Kevin Cummins. There’s also a range of photographic works by Allan Grainger who visited iconic areas in Manchester for inspiration. Jurys Inn is located right in the centre of Manchester at 56 Great Bridgewater Street, with free high-speed WiFi available throughout the hotel. A full English breakfast is available daily. For footy fans visiting their team, Old Trafford Stadium is just two miles away and for shoppers, the intu Trafford Centre is five miles from the property.
CHRISTMAS LIGHTS SWITCH-ON ©MARKETING MANCHESTER
HISPI RESTAURANT
WHERE TO EAT Sometimes, it’s worth making a trip to the ‘burbs for a great meal. That’s certainly the case when it comes to Hispi. Hidden away in the suburb of Didsbury in south Manchester, Hispi offers classic cooking in a relaxed atmosphere for a special occasion or Sunday roast. Dishes at this awardwinning bistro include chargrilled ox heart and poached blood peaches: perfect grub for a winter’s day. In the middle of winter dine under the blossom tree at Tattu. The first-floor restaurant on Gartside Street features a cherry blossom tree as well as intimate booth dining. Tattu offers contemporary Chinese cuisine, fusing traditional flavours with modern cooking methods.
WHERE TO DRINK Dreaming of warmer weather? Sunset by Australasia is an extension of the stylish restaurant 'Australasia' in the heart of Spinningfields with a long bar, evoking the laid-back feel of a Pacific MARKETS AT NEW CATHEDRAL ST ©MARKETING MANCHESTER
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SCIENCE AND INDUSTRY MUSEUM ©MARKETING MANCHESTER
Rim beach hideaway. The canopied outdoor garden is a perfect destination for more intimate and informal get-togethers, whatever the season. The Northern Monkey is a bar that catches all that’s great in Manchester. Its interpretation of 'Northern Soul' music reflects icons from the mod scene to current Manchester artists as well as people who shaped the Manchester scene. The Northern Monkey is located on Dantzic Street.
WHERE TO SHOP If you don’t mind straying from the city centre, one of the UK’s largest designer outlets is just 30 miles away on Kinsey Road. Cheshire Oaks Designer Outlet comprises more than 145 boutiques, restaurants and cafés. Here there’s something to suit every taste from Nike to Next and Burberry to Hugo Boss. Back in the heart of Manchester’s city centre, Manchester Arndale boasts a huge selection of shops from Apple to Next and River Island to Wallis, as well as smaller specialist outlets all under one roof. Manchester Arndale on Market Street is close to bus, tram and train networks so extremely easy to get to and, more importantly, easy to get from when you've got mountains of shopping to carry home in the cold.
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WHAT TO DO If the weather’s not on your side, head indoors at the Science and Industry Museum. Full of amazing objects and world-changing ideas, you’ll be inspired by the wonder of science, enjoy live demonstrations of historic working machinery, and take part in fun science shows. With free entry, the Science and Industry Museum is located on Liverpool Road. Sea Life Manchester is another indoor delight, this time located at the intu Trafford Centre where you can combine a shopping spree with entertainment. With more than 5,000 creatures including sharks, seahorses, octopuses, and jellyfish, Sea Life Manchester is the perfect place to take the family on a rainy day. Journey through the underwater tunnel as sharks and rays swim overhead.
SEA LIFE MANCHESTER
SPA SATORI
Why not rid those winter blues with a spa day? Situated in the heart of the Northern Quarter, Spa Satori offers a variety of therapies for both men and women. Treatments include the ultimate stress relief massage – perfect if you’ve spent the previous day on your feet Christmas shopping, detoxing colonic hydrotherapy – for those that have partied too hard – and shellac nails for a festive night out. Relax in luxurious surroundings and leave feeling revived, rejuvenated and refreshed for the new year!
SCIENCE AND INDUSTRY MUSEUM ©MARKETING MANCHESTER
Food
PIER-SIDE DINING Take one well established and much-loved restaurateur and place him in an eatery which has what is arguably Guernsey’s best views, and you have the makings of the perfect dining experience, more commonly known locally as the restaurant Pier 17. Seamus Duggan has owned Pier 17 for about ten years, but his history in hospitality in Guernsey spans many years before that. Ask any long-term Guernsey local or visitor about one of Seamus’s earlier restaurants called ‘Simply Ireland’ and you’re likely to hear them fondly reminisce about the relaxed atmosphere and infamous ‘Fierce and Fiery Steak’. The restaurant sadly closed in 2007 but to the delight of those mourning the loss of the popular Irish eatery, Seamus returned to the local hospitality scene when he bought the restaurant previously known as Saltwater and transformed it into Pier 17 in 2009. He brought with him his winning formula from Simply Ireland, fine-tuned it and took it up a notch, creating yet
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another restaurant with a huge following of dedicated fans. The location can’t be bettered. Sitting at the end of the historic Albert Pier, the restaurant has jaw-dropping views of Castle Cornet, Fish Quay and the rest of the bustling harbour of St Peter Port as well as the benefit of plentiful parking on the pier itself. Seamus and Head Chef Chris Reid have created a modern menu inspired by fresh and seasonal ingredients. These two have worked together for the past decade and the huge number of repeat customers and glowing TripAdvisor reviews are testament to what a dream team they make. The warm welcome provided by Seamus and his team
combined with the top-quality food coming from the kitchen gains Pier 17 an almost neverending list of glowing reviews. So, what is it about the food that is so special? The menu has an unashamed bias towards seafood, which is as it should be given the restaurant’s proximity to Fish Quay. The chef can almost choose which of the daily catch he wants from the fishing boats without stepping foot outside the restaurant. It doesn’t get much fresher than that! Some of the menu items are long-term favourites which Seamus has brought with him from previous restaurants, such as the hugely popular ‘Fierce and Fiery Fillet Steak’ and the ‘Seamus Scallops’. The chilled seafood platter and
Reviews 'The setting is beautiful' ‘Always one of the very best places to eat on the island and this occasion didn't disappoint. The setting is beautiful, the food and wine choices are excellent and the service very warm and friendly with the bonus of meeting Seamus himself.’
THE LOCATION CAN’T BE BETTERED. SITTING AT THE END OF THE HISTORIC ALBERT PIER THE RESTAURANT HAS JAW DROPPING VIEWS OF CASTLE CORNET, FISH QUAY AND THE REST OF THE BUSTLING HARBOUR OF ST PETER PORT AS WELL AS THE BENEFIT OF PLENTIFUL PARKING ON THE PIER ITSELF.
'Unforgettable' ‘After a wonderful day in Herm, our attention turned to dinner and how lucky we were to decide on Pier 17. Delicious food in lovely surroundings overlooking the harbour at twilight. Unforgettable.’
'Simply excellent' Great food, great service and great ambience. This restaurant has it all and Seamus and his team provide delicious food, beautifully presented combined with the best service on Guernsey. You will miss out if you do not go.’
roasted sea bass fillet with lime and ginger butter are also popular choices. As for desserts, you won’t regret giving the rum soaked raisin cheesecake a try. Pier 17 is open for lunch and dinner Monday to Saturday and is closed on Sundays. Unsurprisingly it does get booked up so it is advisable to make a reservation in advance (bookings can be made online). Whether you’re looking for a casual lunch, a romantic dinner for two or a large get together for a special occasion, the restaurant’s warm surroundings, beautiful views, top quality food and service will make it an experience to remember for all the right reasons.
TO FIND OUT MORE VISIT pier17restaurant.com FOLLOW ON SOCIAL MEDIA f acebook.com/pier17restaurant
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A D V E R T O R I A L
GUERNSEY’S OPEN MARKET EXPERTS BY SIMON TORODE, FOUNDER, CEO, LIVINGROOM ESTATE AGENTS Guernsey’s dual housing market system means that it’s incredibly easy to move to the Channel Island and take advantage of its natural beauty, stable economy and proximity to the UK. Citizens of Great Britain, any European Economic Area (EEA) country or Switzerland or those with right of abode in the UK are all able to purchase property on Guernsey’s Open Market. The team at Livingroom Estate Agents has been selling Open Market property since the agency opened its doors in Guernsey in 2006. Livingroom’s Open Market team – Director Jason Hyland and Negotiator Vikki Bennett – have almost 20 years’ experience in local estate agency and are supported by Livingroom’s dedicated in-house creative team of six - including Founder, CEO Simon Torode and Emy De La Mare with Brand and Business Development. The experience and expertise of the team have contributed to Livingroom enjoying a good market share of Open Market activity in Guernsey. Buyers clearly appreciate Livingroom’s dedication to the client experience and willingness to go the extra mile to help them find their dream home. A MARKET OF VARIETY Of Guernsey’s total housing stock of just under 27,000 domestic property units, around 1,700 are registered as Open Market. This includes the full range of properties
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available on the island – from apartments to Georgian houses and ultra-modern to period styles. Despite this, the relatively limited Open Market stock means that individual properties only come onto the market once in a while. Our team always advises potential buyers to move quickly as a property generally won’t be on the market for long. The relatively limited stock combined with an especially buoyant market since the last quarter of 2018 has resulted in a market that is even more dynamic than usual. Properties move quickly when priced sensibly, something Livingroom is always realistic about when providing free valuations for vendors. A dynamic market doesn’t mean there’s no value though; the Open Market is also open to Guernsey local residents and many find that there is some cross-pollination between the top end of the Local Market and the lower end of the Open Market. A CONCIERGE APPROACH TO NAVIGATING THE MARKET One of the things our team regularly encounters when showing prospective buyers around the Open Market is clients with a relatively fixed criteria of what they’re looking for in a property. Ordinarily this is a blessing for an estate agent - as any keen viewer of property-based television shows will know – but in a market of a finite size this can often be more of a hindrance than a help.
Of course, requirements for a property search are to be expected but we always encourage clients to come to the island with an open mind and see all that the Open Market has to offer. Many of the clients who approach us looking to buy on the Open Market are from overseas and have little experience of Guernsey. Their first visit to the island can therefore be a property-hunting expedition so our team is well aware of the importance of making a good first impression. That’s why we adopt a concierge approach to navigating the market. In addition to property viewings, guidance and knowledge our team also provides holistic advice to those considering relocating to the island. So whether they need to know about the island’s schools, restaurant scene, beaches or tax regime our team is on hand to advise. The Open Market is a dynamic arena that boasts some of the island’s best homes. Our team has the experience to navigate the fast-paced market, the knowledge to match clients with what they’re looking for and the acumen to provide accurate advice – all of which makes Livingroom the Open Market experts. If you’re interested in exploring Guernsey’s Open Market, or want to get a free valuation on your Open Market property, then get in touch with the Livingroom team on 01481 715555 or at livingroom.gg
BUSINESS NEWS 62 NEWS BULLETIN The latest business news from the Channel Islands
66 LOCATE GUERNSEY Guernsey - stability, security, safety
SOURCE'S FACES OF BUSINESS 89 Meet Nicci Martel, Editor of Travel Eye CI
PE COMMUNICATIONS NEED TO FOCUS ON GLOBAL BRAND BUILDING 91 By James Orrick, Managing Director at PEA
79 LEAVING ON A JET PLANE? Advocate Adrian Brown, Partner at Browns Advocates, discusses child relocation
WILLS - YOU CAN DIY THEM, BUT SHOULD YOU? 99
83 IF I COULD TURN BACK TIME
By Victoria Grogan, Counsel, Ogier Jersey and Martyn Baudains, Partner, Ogier Guernsey
By Rebecca Goater, Director, Network Insurance and Financial Planning
84 WE ARE GUERNSEY Guernsey meets family office needs for expertise and professionalism
GUERNSEY'S FINTECH FUTURE 107 By Luke Sayer, Senior Associate at Carey Olsen
HIGH-FLYING APPOINTMENTS 114 The latest appointments from leading Channel Island businesses
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GUERNSEY LOCAL MARKET ACTIVITY ON COURSE FOR ANOTHER YEARLY INCREASE Sales activity in the Guernsey Local Market so far during 2019 is on course to top that of last year, according to the latest conveyancing statistics compiled by Unusualities of Guernsey, an independent compiler of local conveyancing statistics.
Page 69 Banking with a heart
Page 77 Customer service: how & why we do it
Page 87 Supporting economic substance is vital for our islands
REBRAND FOR NEW STREET MANAGEMENT
Jason Morgan
For the nine months to the end of September 2019 there were 675 Local Market houses and flats sold compared to 598 for the same period last year. Of those 675 Local Market transactions, the median price (realty only) for the 542 houses sold, currently stands at £458,250, up from the £444,600 for the same period last year. The median price (realty only) of the 112 Local Market flats is £243,750, which also represents an increase on the £236,031 recorded in the first nine months of 2018.* Jason Morgan, head of Carey Olsen's property group in Guernsey, said: 'If Local Market sales continue along their current trajectory it will represent the fourth successive year of increased activity since 2015, when there were fewer than 600 transactions in total. At the same time, it is also possible that this year's total will surpass that of 2011 which, with 893 Local Market transactions, was the most buoyant year since before the financial crisis. This level of activity shows a confidence in the housing market locally and is certainly consistent with the number of new instructions our conveyancing team has been receiving.' *None of the total sales numbers quoted include inter-family or inter-company sales, transactions which are typically completed for a nominal consideration.
Since New Street Management was founded in 2014, the team at this Guernsey-based independent trust company has been hard at work, providing bespoke fiduciary services to high net worth individuals, corporate structures and family offices from Europe, the Middle East and Eastern Europe. Growth has been rapid for NSM with the team growing to almost 60 people today, a testament to the satisfaction of their clients. This year saw the opening of NSM’s second office in the prestigious Dubai International Financial Centre in the UAE. Having celebrated their fifth anniversary, it was felt the time was right to refresh New Street Management’s brand. Local advertising agency TPA were recruited to design a new visual identity. 'We wanted the look and feel of our brand to reflect the independence, experience and professionalism that we pride ourselves on', said Simon Graham, Managing Director. That independence is right at the heart of NSM’s philosophy as a service provider, something they intend to hold onto as they build the firm, hence their chosen strapline of ‘Seek Independence’ to accompany their bold new logo.
CAREY OLSEN WINS PRESTIGIOUS CHAMBERS HIGH NET WORTH AWARD Carey Olsen has been named Offshore Firm of the Year at the Chambers High Net Worth Awards. The awards, which were presented at a ceremony in London, celebrate legal excellence in the world of private wealth. Carey Olsen was shortlisted for the award by the legal directory's highly regarded research team following the publication of the 2019 edition of the Chambers and Partners High Net Worth earlier this year. The guide saw Carey Olsen secure a series of top-tier rankings and the firm described by sources as 'the first name we think of for trust and fiduciary providers from the private client side' and how 'for HNW clients, they cover a lot of bases – they put their clients first and are very responsive'. Commenting on Carey Olsen's achievement, Russell Clark, Managing Partner and head of the trusts and private wealth
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group in Guernsey, said: 'It is an honour for Carey Olsen to win this highly prestigious award, which is recognition of the hard work and dedication put in by everyone in the global trusts and private wealth team, while at the same time highlighting both the quality of our lawyers and the work we undertake for clients. 'We have a substantive private wealth team in the Channel Islands but are also making great strides into the private wealth market in the Caribbean with the rapid growth of our offerings in Bermuda, BVI and Cayman.' Carey Olsen has one of the largest trusts and private wealth teams in the offshore world with 50 partners and associates providing advice on the laws of Bermuda, the British Virgin Islands, the Cayman Islands, Guernsey and Jersey to local and international clients and their advisers.
Jasmine Amaria and Richard Brown Carey Olsen's London partners Jasmine Amaria and Richard Brown collected the offshore award on the firm's behalf.
GUERNSEY PRESS SOLD TO LOCAL INVESTORS The Guernsey Press Company Limited has been bought by a local investment company in a multimillion-pound deal. The Channel Islands Media Group Limited, a joint venture between Bailiwick Investments Limited and MXC Capital Limited, has purchased the Guernsey Press Company and its wholly owned subsidiary Guernsey Distribution Limited from the Guiton Media Group Limited, a subsidiary of Wolverhampton-based the Claverley Group. The deal includes the production and distribution of The Guernsey Press newspaper, including its digital platforms and GY4 You app. Guernsey Press Managing Director Mark Lewis said that the change of ownership was a positive one. ‘This is the beginning of a new era for one of Guernsey’s oldest and most-respected businesses. We, and our new owner, are confident that this acquisition represents a perfect alliance. We welcome the prospect of technological innovation that will enhance the island’s leading news organisation and are delighted that the new owner is intent on driving forward the business whilst maintaining the culture of the Guernsey Press together with the community spirit that is the bedrock of everything we do,’ he said.
local company with the ambition, knowhow and contacts to develop the business.’ Bailiwick Investments is an investment company quoted on The International Stock Exchange which has a substantial percentage of Channel Islands-based shareholders. Its objective is attaining long-term capital growth by investment in a diversified portfolio of investments. It’s been investing in local businesses for more than a decade and its current portfolio includes shareholdings in Sandpiper CI Group, Jackson’s Group, Guernsey Recycling Group, SigmaRoc and Oatlands. Chairman Sir Geoffrey Rowland said that the Bailiwick has a strong record of investing in well-established Channel Islands’ businesses to enable them to grow and diversify. ‘We invest and assist management to realise their objectives. Improving businesses for the benefit of staff, shareholders and the community is all important. We do not get involved in day-to-day operations but we are there to give strategic direction, provide support, explore new ideas and take advantage of opportunities. Our 10-year track record demonstrates that we attain long-term capital growth for our investors,’ he said.
‘After more than two decades of off-island ownership, we are looking forward to being part of a
‘The Guernsey Press has played an important part in the development of our community. We are confident
DIGITAL INTERNS MAKE IMPACT AT FIRST CENTRAL GROUP
used to adapt existing software, like First Central’s insurance platform Focus, for different requirements.
Three Guernsey students made a real impact during their time at First Central Group as part of the Digital Greenhouse’s Discover Digital Internship programme this summer. The scheme provides students who are passionate about digital technology with practical experience in local companies, highlighting the variety of exciting and challenging careers in the sector. Emma Torode, Thomas Harvey and Grainne Wrigley, who have been interns at First Central for six weeks, have been working on coding a concept customer portal for First Central’s UK motor insurance broker, 1ST CENTRAL. The concept portal project could allow customers to view information about ongoing claims. The demonstration has taught students about how planning and implementation of coding can be
'Our interns are always keen to learn and contribute towards current and future projects. To code the portal, they have been using a combination of JavaScript, HTML and CSS and several other different pieces of software, programmes and coding languages,' said Dan Edmunds, Development Manager at First Central. 'We want all our interns to be creative and innovative during their time with us, we want them to think creatively and let them design something new. We were very impressed by the standard of knowledge and enthusiasm of the students - they made a huge contribution to our team and we are proud to be part of their educational journey and hope they all go on to find their ideal career path working with technology.' Emma Torode, one of this year’s digital interns, said: 'The past six weeks have flown by. The team here at First Central has taught me so much; it’s great learning on the job
that Channel Islands Media Group, driven by Bailiwick Investments and MXC Guernsey, will ensure that the Guernsey Press has a brilliant future.’ MXC Capital is an AIM-quoted investor in, and adviser to, technology companies. CEO Ian Smith said MXC’s experience would enable the Guernsey Press to embrace advances in technology. ‘The media landscape has changed significantly in the last decade and technology has been at the heart of those changes. We are looking forward to being part of such a respected Guernsey name and helping it to develop technology whilst continuing to be a key source of news for the Bailiwick,’ he said. Ravenscroft is investment manager to Bailiwick Investments and group CEO Jon Ravenscroft said the investment in the Guernsey Press complemented the other investments made. ‘We are intent on ensuring that the Guernsey Press has a bright future under a new local company whose shareholders understand the hopes and aspirations of its readers and all Islanders. Channel Islands Media Group appreciates the valuable service which the newspaper and its digital platform provide, and how they can be improved for the benefit of the community. We look forward to working with management and staff to continue delivering an invaluable service to the community.’
L-R: Emma Torode, Grainne Wrigley and Thomas Harvey rather than in a classroom - you have the ability to implement what you’ve learnt into real projects instantly.' Mikey Chammings, one of the previous digital interns, who now has a future permanent position at First Central as an Associate Developer, has been guiding the students during their time at First Central. The main focus of the previous year’s internship was to code a digital platform for the Youth Commission, who First Central works in close partnership with as part of their CSR initiative.
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Business NATWEST INTERNATIONAL AGREES MULTIMILLION POUND LOAN FOR REPLACEMENT ELECTRICITY CABLE NatWest International has provided a £15 million loan facility to Guernsey Electricity Limited (GEL) to help fund the acquiring and commissioning of a replacement undersea electricity cable between Guernsey and Jersey. The proposed replacement, following the failure of the existing cable in October 2018, is designed to restore the overall electricity link between Guernsey and France to full power and will enable GEL to import low carbon electricity at full capacity once again. Julian Turner, Chief Financial Officer, Guernsey Electricity said, ‘The replacement cable between the two islands improves the overall security of the electricity supply from France because it removes the section of the cable that has had reliability issues in recent years. The need to self-generate using heavy fuel oil while the cable has been operating below design capacity is a significantly more expensive option than importing electricity from France. The balance of cable financing is to be provided through the proceeds of the States of Guernsey Bond issue.’ He added, ‘We were impressed with the Bank’s understanding of our needs and were delighted to have been able to work with their team to agree a 10-year lending commitment to enable us to progress this vital replacement.’ Lynn Whitworth, Commercial Relationship Director with NatWest International, said: ‘It was a pleasure and a privilege to work with Guernsey Electricity in order to provide a fit-for-purpose solution, which benefits not just the company but the island’s infrastructure and resilience as a whole’. The Bank also helped GEL to manage the interest rate risk over the same period. Joe Vasey, Head of Local Banking, NatWest International Guernsey, said: ‘The skill and speed with which this request was executed is a testament to how closely our deal team and credit function work together and their deep understanding of the local market.’
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UNEXPECTED BURSARY BOOST FOR JT DIGITAL INTERN After an impressive six-week internship, Elizabeth College student Kieran Aslett has been awarded a bursary by his JT mentors. This helping hand towards his study costs is in recognition of his genuine interest in digital technology and the bright future that lies ahead of him. Kieran joined JT having applied successfully for the Digital Greenhouse Discover Digital Summer Internship which JT has supported for the past three years. He spent six weeks working with a number of the company’s departments. Andy Holmes, JT’s Talent Programme Manager, said: 'As a business we believe it is really important for us to play a part in nurturing young talent. Committed and interested young people like Kieran represent the future of digital technology and we are privileged to have had the opportunity to share our knowledge with him and are really pleased that we can contribute to resources which will help him take those first steps in his career.' Kieran said that the internship gave him a good insight into the collaborative working between departments. 'It was surprising to me how much interaction there was between departments like sales and engineering. The reality is that they share information all the time
Kieran Aslett and Andy Holmes to come to a solution together, looking at design and analysing the information before tackling an issue.' Kieran, who has plans to study cyber security in higher education, said that he had an interest in networking and so particularly enjoyed working with CISCO engineering while at JT but had found the mentoring in all the teams especially beneficial. 'It was never just about me sitting and watching what was going on, that’s not the JT way. The mentoring was fantastic, and I was given the chance to do real work, take part and ask questions. It was an exciting opportunity and worked very naturally. The bursary announcement came as a complete surprise on my second to last day – I hadn’t expected that at all but it’s great news. It’s so nice to know that the team at JT value my contribution,' said Kieran.
CHANNEL ISLANDS ADJUSTERS DUO ADD ANOTHER QUALIFICATION TO THEIR LIST OF ACCOLADES Two key team members at Channel Islands Adjusters have each notched up another qualification. In what is proving to be a milestone year for the company, Loss Adjusters Josh Smith and Aaron Slattery have qualified as British Damage Management Association Insurance Technicians. The plaudit comes as the pair prepare to become Chartered Loss Adjusters when they are ‘time qualified’ at the end of 2019. They will join founders Richard and Julie-anne Headington, who were the world’s first married couple to become Chartered Loss Adjusters. Office Manager Tracy Le Page is also studying for the Chartered Loss Adjusting Certificate. Aaron and Josh now become two of just four practitioners with the qualification in Guernsey, one of whom is Channel Islands Adjusters founder Richard Headington. Josh said, 'As a company and individuals, we want to represent
the future of our industry across the Channel Islands, but we can only do so with investment of time and a lot of hard work. Thankfully, that has paid off and I’m looking forward to demonstrating everything I’ve learned across the varied range of live cases we’re dealing with here at Channel Islands Adjusters.' The latest qualification marks a double celebration for Aaron Slattery, who has also recently been selected to join the Chartered Insurance Institute's ‘New Generation Group’; a flagship talent programme showcasing stars from across the insurance industry. He said, 'It’s safe to say 2019 has been somewhat of a milestone year, which will also see Josh and I qualify as Chartered Loss Adjusters. The industry continues to throw us new and interesting challenges and these qualifications back up what we learn every day out in the field across the islands, so the hard work is certainly worth it.'
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GUERNSEY – STABILITY, SECURITY, SAFETY When considering a destination for relocation, people often dream of sunshine, a place where it’s possible to relax and enjoy a great work/life balance, and a low tax regime is an additional attraction. However, in today’s turbulent world, “stability”, “security” and “safety” tend to be the first words on the lips of those we meet who are looking at their options and visiting Guernsey with relocation in mind.
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To quote the island’s most senior politician, Deputy Gavin St Pier, President of the Policy and Resources Committee, “In a world that is increasingly turbulent and uncertain, Guernsey shines bright as an island of stability”.
lived here in exile for 15 years) as a “rock of hospitality and freedom”, is increasingly popular as a destination of choice for those who are seeking a safe, secure and stable environment in which to live and to do business.
Guernsey has been a selfgoverning jurisdiction since 1204 – 500 years before the Act of Union creating the United Kingdom and 750 years before the birth of the European Union – so it’s fair to say that our system of government has stood the test of time. More than 800 years later, this island jurisdiction, described by Victor Hugo (who
As a British Crown Dependency, Guernsey has a relationship with the United Kingdom for matters of foreign affairs and defence; Her Majesty the Queen, in her role as the Duke of Normandy, is our Head of State, but the island has its own democratically elected government which writes its own laws and sets its own levels of taxation. Our
En Voyage | Aurigny’s Magazine
system is entirely non-party political and all our elected representatives are independent, enabling our government to be nimble and responsive with policy development. Our island is a community where politicians and decision makers are easily accessible and innovation and enterprise is welcomed and supported. Although we have had the ability to trade freely with the EU thanks to Protocol 3 of the Accession Treaty, Guernsey has never been part of the European Union and has always been considered as a 'third country'. The island is
therefore largely unaffected by Brexit but has nevertheless been working with the UK Government to ensure that any implications for Guernsey of the UK’s departure from the EU are managed positively. The island’s authorities have also been busy negotiating our own terms in respect of the movement of goods.
number of high profile players to establish a physical presence within the island, managing and administering their products in Guernsey and our excellent work/life balance is a great magnet for former city dwellers who appreciate being able to regain time and enjoy the island’s great quality of life.
Not only is Guernsey seen as a beacon of political stability, it is also seen as a safe and secure place to do business. Internationally recognised as a world class financial centre, new businesses to the island are always very impressed by the high quality of professional and legal services available here. Regulation is considered to be very robust whilst remaining pragmatic and flexible with an open-door approach. Ease of access to politicians and decision makers is also greatly appreciated by businesses and individuals alike. The island’s economic stability has encouraged a
Personal safety and security are two of the other important benefits appreciated by island residents and these are increasingly cited as being amongst the deciding factors when choosing a destination for personal relocation. The ability to walk freely in the streets, even late at night, without having to be worried for personal safety; not having to think about setting a burglar alarm on the house, or be concerned if we have forgotten to lock the car is a blessing which those of us who live here are thankful for every day. Parents of young children appreciate knowing that they can play safely
NOT ONLY IS GUERNSEY SEEN AS A BEACON OF POLITICAL STABILITY, IT IS ALSO SEEN AS A SAFE AND SECURE PLACE TO DO BUSINESS. on the beach and in the park and that if they are out of sight for a few minutes, this is ok – it is usually quite a revelation to new arrivals that this is the case! Islanders’ honesty and courtesy, in the shops, on the roads and in life generally is refreshing and adds to the feeling of general well-being. So if you are considering whether or not Guernsey would be the right place for you to relocate to, either with your business or your family, remember that in addition to sunshine, relaxation, a great work/life balance and low tax, stability, security and safety abound in Guernsey.
To start your journey, call the Locate Guernsey team
A better life for you
on +44 (0)1481 743834 email enquiries@locateguernsey.com or visit locateguernsey.com
This feature has been prepared for general guidance and interest only, and does not constitute professional advice. No liability is accepted for any direct, indirect or consequential loss arising from the use of the content and the same is specifically excluded.
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Solid returns with Savings Accounts from Skipton, made with you in mind
When investing your money in a deposit account, attractive interest rates and friendly, efficient service is a winning combination. Enjoy solid returns with savings accounts from Skipton, an award winning Channel Island bank dedicated to providing high levels of service, with you in mind. For more information on our attractive range of sterling accounts, call our friendly and dedicated team at Skipton International.
Skipton International Limited (Skipton), registered in Guernsey: 30112, is a wholly owned subsidiary of Skipton Building Society. Skipton is licensed under the Banking Supervision (Bailiwick of Guernsey) Law, 1994, as amended. Skipton is a participant in the Guernsey Banking Deposit Compensation Scheme. The Scheme offers protection for ‘qualifying deposits’ up to £50,000, subject to certain limitations. The maximum total amount of compensation is capped at £100,000,000 in any 5 year period. Full details are available on the Scheme’s website www.dcs.gg or on request. To help maintain service and quality, telephone calls may be recorded and monitored.
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BANKING WITH A HEART JIM COUPE, MANAGING DIRECTOR AT SKIPTON INTERNATIONAL, DISCUSSES ITS SUCCESS AS THE BANK CELEBRATES ITS 10TH ANNIVERSARY.
The team’s focus on customer service, supporting the community and keeping it simple, have been behind the growth of Skipton International, according to its Managing Director Jim Coupe. The figures alone are impressive. When Skipton International was formed a decade ago, it had £400 million of mortgages and £850m in deposits. Ten years on, the mortgage book is £1.4bn while deposits stand at £1.6bn. In Guernsey alone, the bank has supported around a quarter of all property purchases in that time. So, how has this Channel Islands-based bank done it? By sticking to its core values and principles, and carrying them through the business, says Skipton International MD Jim Coupe. And spotting new opportunities. Skipton International, formed after Skipton Guernsey and Scarborough Channel Islands amalgamated, is owned by the Skipton Building Society. While it’s a Guernsey-based bank, Skipton International has that building society culture in its DNA. ‘How customers interact and work with us; a lot of what we do has a building society ethos about it. Which is about treating customers well with a strong customer focus. Adding value to your communities. Being fair, transparent. Our vision is being the most recommended Channel Island bank,’ said Jim. On this front, Jim points to customer reviews conducted through Feefo, an independent company. ‘For the three years that
we’ve been doing it, we’ve had a gold trusted service provider award. So, we’re proud of that. It has also been very useful. ‘Customers have said things on Feefo that they wouldn’t complain about. So, where things haven’t been so bad it’s been worth complaining about, but it hasn’t been the greatest, then we’ve learned about that. ‘We’ve changed products, we’ve changed documentation. We’ve changed processes and actually learned from it. We try and avoid replicating the same issue with other customers.’
THE SKIPTON SWIMARATHON, FOR EXAMPLE, HAS RAISED OVER £500,000 FOR GOOD CAUSES IN GUERNSEY. For Jim, customer service goes well beyond lip service. ‘Something I love to see is when customers say, “at Skipton I’m treated like a person not an account number” – which supports that ethos.’ Making mortgages and savings as ‘straightforward as possible’, while meeting regulatory and legal requirements, is another crucial part of the customer service jigsaw. ‘Last year, we made a decision on 87% of mortgage applications within three days and customers appreciate that.’ Developing its overall offering has been key and seen the workforce double. Around 60 people are based at the bank’s headquarters in
St Peter Port, Guernsey. In Jersey, there is a four-strong team in its mortgage sales office. To comply with regulatory requirements, Skipton’s Jersey team are limited solely to activities which support the bank’s mortgage activity – however Jersey residents can access the bank’s savings services – just by applying to the Guernsey office. Buy-to-let mortgages in the UK were launched in 2014. ‘We have contributed substantially and consistently to the Guernsey market, but there’s only so much you can do. In terms of growth, we have been able to leverage opportunities in Jersey and then particularly in the UK. And the UK is now by far the largest source of our applications. ‘That’s great because what that’s doing is bringing wealth into the island, employment for the guys here and more tax for the States of Guernsey,’ said Jim. For Skipton, it’s important to give back to the jurisdictions in which they operate. The Skipton Swimarathon, for example, has raised over £500,000 for good causes in Guernsey. There’s also been support for the arts, and enrichment activities for young people and the environment. And not just cheques – it includes beach cleans or cleaning a boxing club. The Skipton community fund, launched last year, supports smaller Channel Islands’ charities, with £30,000 in the pot this year to mark the bank’s 10th anniversary. For Jim, it’s about adding to the richness of local life.
This piece was originally written by Will Green for publication in the Guernsey Press 69
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LEGAL STATUS BY RICHARD FIELD, PARTNER, APPLEBY (GUERNSEY) LLP
Guernsey has a rich history - you don’t have to look far to see the impact that a variety of cultures and languages has had on the island. Learning about the past is all part of understanding why Guernsey is unique newcomers to the island will know that pronouncing ‘Val des Terres’ as if speaking in French will provoke puzzled looks in some quarters, for example. The fact that we have traditions which date back centuries, continue to rely on Norman customary law for guidance on some legal matters (albeit to a much lesser extent these days) and have our own legislature and independent judiciary, should all be celebrated. Learning more about the island’s heritage whilst training for the Guernsey Bar exams a few years back was a rewarding experience. Whilst we are all under increasing pressure to harmonise and consolidate, individuality remains important in helping identify whether there is indeed a ‘better’ way of doing something. Learning from history and applying new thinking (and technology) is vital. As the Bailiff reiterated at the recent sitting of Chief Pleas, Guernsey has to evolve to ‘stay relevant’ to today’s global marketplace. ‘Staying relevant’ doesn’t just mean providing services and products that consumers want/need, it is also attracting a diverse mix of people and skillsets in order to service those needs. Whilst there will no doubt be some groans at this, that means (in part) attracting talented lawyers to the island and developing the locally-based lawyers.
That also means attracting a mix of people from many backgrounds, as well as developing locally-based students and training them to reach their potential. It is also important to retain those people and ensure that Guernsey remains attractive to them as a longer-term career choice. Diversity in the (traditionally conservative) legal profession generally has long been a challenge, though significant (and long-overdue) change has been achieved in the past decade. The direction of travel is positive. Guernsey has played its part Advocate Jessica Roland will take on the mantle of Deputy Bailiff from May 2020, the first female Deputy Bailiff in Guernsey’s history. Advocates Clare Tee and Sarah Brehaut have also successfully undertaken the role of Bâtonnier in recent years. Whilst it is without doubt that more can be done (and in all areas as regards diversity), these are but a few of the various examples of what can be achieved. One of the routes towards attracting and maintaining lawyers to the island is to support them whilst they undertake the process of qualifying as a Guernsey Advocate. This involves sitting a set of exams on various aspects of Guernsey law, and completing courses at Caen University in Normandy, France. The Guernsey Bar exams, the nemesis of many an aspirant, have been overhauled in the past couple of years. The course entails consideration of a significant volume of material, but making the process more transparent and accessible should assist in encouraging more aspirants to grasp that particular nettle.
The Caen University courses have also been overhauled in recent times. Previously, undertaking the courses meant three months away from the island, which was inevitably difficult for those who would have to spend time away from family and loved ones, alongside the challenges that being away from the office brought to their existing client bases. That said, there is something to be said for sampling the wines and cheeses of Normandy…. The courses are now only one month in duration, with exams being taken in Guernsey. This change should encourage those with childcare or other issues to be able to consider taking the courses and ultimately qualifying locally. It will also reflect the balance that needs to be struck with maintaining the links (legal and cultural) to Normandy and our heritage. Advocates (and the lawyers in their employ) are also required to maintain professional learning and undertake courses on a regular basis. The Guernsey Bar arranges advocacy training and there are numerous courses (both on and off-island) which can be attended in order to further develop individuals. The rule of law has long been recognised as one of the cornerstones of democracy; retaining and attracting lawyers who can work to uphold that principle and deal with matters pragmatically and conscientiously for clients is but one small part of what Guernsey has to offer in the digital future. Assuming of course that computers haven't taken over by then….
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ARE YOU PREPARED? ECONOMIC SUBSTANCE IN THE CHANNEL ISLANDS KPMG in the Channel Island’s tax partner in Guernsey, Tony Mancini, and new Jersey based Tax Director, Paul Eastwood, give an insight into the impact and common issues that Guernsey and Jersey companies are facing with regards to the substance rules. From 1 January 2019 both Guernsey and Jersey, together with a number of other jurisdictions with nil or only nominal corporate income tax rates, introduced economic substance rules in order to address concerns raised by the EU’s Code of Conduct Group (Business Taxation) regarding ‘fair taxation’. At the toplevel, the economic substance rules state that where a company is resident in either Jersey or Guernsey and undertakes a “relevant activity” it will be required to meet the following three economic substance tests: 1. That the company is directed and managed in the particular Island; 2. That the company’s Core Income Generating Activities (‘CIGA’) are carried out in the particular Island; and 3. That the company has adequate people, premises and expenditure in the particular Island to undertake the relevant activity. On the basis that the economic substance rules apply now, it is essential that companies and corporate services providers assess the impact of the rules, in order to understand their obligations and the implications of potential non-compliance. A recommended course of action for companies and corporate service providers to follow is: 1. Determine company tax residence: broadly it is ‘tax residence’ that determines which jurisdiction’s economic substance rules apply and hence determining each company’s tax residence is a vital first step. This is particularly relevant in the context of companies incorporated in one jurisdiction with economic substance rules (say the BVI), but managed and controlled, and therefore tax resident, in another jurisdiction with economic substance rules (say Jersey) – it’s the Jersey rules that apply. In this context the change in the Guernsey’s corporate tax residence rules from 1 January 2019 (to broadly align with the existing Jersey rules) is particularly relevant and may bring a large number of companies within the scope of Guernsey’s economic substance rules. 2. Classify companies for ‘relevant activities’: this involves reviewing the activities of each company to determine whether it is undertaking any of the nine types of ‘relevant activities’ (namely: banking, insurance, fund management, financing and leasing, headquarters, shipping, holding company, intellectual property holding, distribution and service centre).
3. Undertake gap analysis: for those companies undertaking ‘relevant activities’, comparing the operations of the company against the three economic substance tests outlined above, to determine whether there are any areas of potential non-compliance. 4. Take action to address gaps identified: at the time of writing it is still 2019 and hence there is still time to act to address issues discovered during the gap analysis and be able to reflect these actions in the first economic substance returns relating to the 2019 tax year. This might involve, for example, convening a further board meeting or changing the makeup of a board to increase knowledge/ expertise of a particular relevant activity. 5. Think about reporting requirements: each company within scope of the economic substance rules will be required to make an annual return to the relevant tax authorities, starting with the 2019 tax year. At the time of writing the tax authorities are finalising what these returns will look like; however this should not delay consideration of how companies are going to collate information that will be requested on these tax returns (for example, the amount of time that qualified employees spend working for a particular company). Corporate service providers in particular need to engage with this issue, as they will need to collate information about their own employees to include on their clients’ returns. Corporate service providers also need to consider how they are going to manage the additional work created by the requirement to produce detailed returns. The penalties for non-compliance are significant – with the ultimate sanction of company strike-off being part of both Islands’ compliance framework – and hence engagement with the rules is required now. KPMG in the Channel Islands is ideally placed to assist you through the economic substance rules in Guernsey and Jersey, with deep knowledge of the rules and the ability to help you through the entire process, including the submission of tax return.
Tony Mancini Tax Partner
Paul Eastwood Tax Director 73
Business
VISUAL STORYTELLING PAYS DIVIDENDS The new Children’s Library at the Guille-Allès Library has opened to the public, after two years of planning and fundraising and two short phases of on-site construction. It now represents one of Guernsey’s most valuable community offerings, open for free, to all the island’s children. The project was the brainchild of CCD’s Design Director Oliver Westgarth, who established the need to upgrade the facility and realised the possibility for a community fundraising project. The Children’s Library rooms (on the first floor of the landmark building) were tired and drab, partly due to years without any but essential investment, but mostly as the spaces had never been conceived as much more than a functional book storage facility. The spaces lacked the ‘magic’ created by the team of passionate Children’s Librarians, who already offered a broad spectrum of inspiring events and activities. They leapt at the chance to create a space of the same calibre as the service they offer the island’s children.
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The idea of the project was to create an exciting, fantastical, accessible space, where children could learn but importantly also have fun, becoming relaxed around books and thus, it’s hoped, become inspired to read. Established research suggests that a multisensory space, designed to stimulate sight and touch and encourage exploration, promotes brain development and therefore provides an ideal environment for nurturing an affinity for reading - particularly for those children at the edges of the reading experience, who might otherwise feel daunted and be put off at a young age. The new design’s full-height plywood shelving walls evoke the grand libraries of the past, with a markedly playful, cost-
effective and modern twist. Shelf display and storage are maximised by using the full height of the classically proportioned rooms and creating multiple miniature ‘rooms’. Artificial grass covers the floors, making the rooms playful and interactive for toddlers and parents, as well as being hard wearing. Seating/lying down areas in the bay windows that project over the Market Square link the spaces directly to the wider community, providing a unique look-out for would-be adventurers. Hidden passages and secret shelves are accessed via flying walkways and gantries, all made to suit the scale of children rather than adults. All furniture is CNC-cut plywood, enabling offsite fabrication and quick onsite assembly, and reducing otherwise costly carpentry expenses.
Reading ‘nooks’ of varying sizes are built into the walls of shelves, providing different sized spaces for children to escape into – either on their own, with friends or with parents - and immerse themselves in their favourite story. The entrance has also been modified to visually connect the Children’s Library with the main stairwell. A new semi-transparent shelving screen invites people in and incorporates a bespoke, and very popular, miniature doorway exclusively for children. The impressive ‘Tree of Knowledge’ sculpture in the John Ramplin Room forms the central feature, stretching across the room to create an abstract canopy over the new Reading Circle, which has been designed for group reading and story-telling. The tree, designed by CCD, was constructed by inmates from Les Nicolles Prison as part of the Creative Learning in Prison Initiative – one of the many ways in which the community came
together to realise this project. The dedication and generosity of many individuals, across multiple sectors, was fundamental to the project’s realisation. All of those who supported the project are acknowledged on a custom-built thank you board mounted in the library. Rewardingly for all involved, the tangible success of the project has already been reflected in increased attendance figures. Since opening, the use of the library as a whole has increased by 10% and children’s book loans have increased by a remarkable 32%! Over £150,000 was raised through various fundraising initiatives to cover the costs of labour and materials. Much of this was raised through generous donations by the project’s main sponsors the Sarah Groves Foundation, the John Ramplin Charitable Trust, the Skipton Swimarathon and the Ana Leaf Foundation. £50,000 was donated by the Sarah Groves Foundation
and the main room renamed 'The Sarah Groves Room', with the entrance featuring a piece of Sarah's own artwork. A number of fundraising projects were also undertaken within the community, including the ‘Name a Nook’ campaign that led to every library shelf being personally named with a brass plaque.
A D V E R T O R I A L
“YOU CAN FIND MAGIC WHEREVER YOU LOOK. SIT BACK AND RELAX, ALL YOU NEED IS A BOOK.” DR. SEUSS
Very few similar projects exist in the UK, especially at a time when libraries across the country are struggling for funding and many are fighting the threat of closure. For such an innovatively designed project to have been realised is a huge testament to the strength of the local community.
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CUSTOMER SERVICE: HOW & WHY WE DO IT BY STEVE BREHAUT, MANAGING DIRECTOR, RESOLUTION IT
Whilst not immediately known this side of the Atlantic, Tony Hsieh, the American internet entrepreneur and venture capitalist, uttered one of the best quotes about customer service that I’ve come across: ‘Customer service should not be a department. It should be the entire company.’ Since co-founding Resolution IT 12 years ago, Olly Duquemin and myself have always believed that this is the key to running and growing a successful business. Nailing great customer service means it starts as soon as someone walks through our doors the very first time for an interview. We absolutely need to get it right with our team if we are going to get it right for our clients. We place great importance on employing people with a range of soft skills which include a caring approach, can-do attitude and great communication skills. Hard skills can be taught but someone with the right soft skills is often harder to come by, especially somewhere like Guernsey with such a limited talent pool. Built into our team’s quarterly objectives are qualifications they need to achieve to enable them to grow and reach their full potential with us. Many of these exams are taken off-island and staff also attend the latest vendor and industry seminars and exhibitions. It’s our aim to give our staff the tools they need to develop their roles and it’s hugely rewarding taking on people fresh from studying and watching them grow and become a really valuable member of the team. So, our aim has always been to run a business that empowers and supports our staff, who then empower and support our clients; it creates a virtuous and never-
IF TECHNOLOGY CAN MAKE SOMETHING BETTER, WE HAVE NO QUALMS ABOUT CHANGING THE PRODUCTS IF IT WILL MAKE A POSITIVE DIFFERENCE TO THE CLIENT. ending customer service cycle. And it works - staff turnover is very low, with client retention and satisfaction very high. To offer the best customer service to our clients, it has always been important to us that we are genuinely seen as our clients' trusted adviser; being fully ingrained in our clients’ businesses. We believe we operate a very transparent and honest two-way relationship; one where we regularly seek feedback (both good and bad). We provide a monthly system status report so clients have visibility of how their infrastructure is performing, that their devices are secure and where future investment may be required. Back at the office, we have weekly departmental meetings which will cover the servicing of our clients and at the end of every ‘ticket’ raised for a client, we ask for feedback which, on occasions, has resulted in us making changes to how we operate. In our quarterly client meetings, we’re not only dealing with
the here and now, we’re also proactively suggesting new technology solutions which will allow them to make time and money savings. In the last few years especially, developments in technology have taken place at such a phenomenal speed, there are always new and better ways of streamlining business processes. It would be wrong to offer clients a one-size-fits-all range of processes and products simply because we’ve always done that. If technology can make something better, we have no qualms about changing the products if it will make a positive difference to the client. We are always pushing the boundaries to harness the real benefits of emerging technologies. And who knows what improvements Artificial Intelligence (AI) will make – that’s definitely one we’re watching. Customer service, like any area of a business, can sometimes fall short of its ideals but it’s how you deal with those shortcomings that makes all the difference. At Resolution IT we have a genuine total commitment, both as individuals and as a business, to getting it right. One of our clients jokingly told me in passing that if he’d had a bad day, he felt the perfect pick-me-up would be to ring our Service Desk and speak to a particular member of the team as he always sounded so smiley and cheerful. Which is an apt way to end this piece. I started with a quote so I’ll end with one; this time an old Chinese proverb: ‘A man without a smiling face must not open up a shop’!
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Change of direction... We help people through separation, advising on all aspects of divorce, children and finances. T: 01481 740002 E: enquiries@brownsadvocates.com A5 Hirzel Court, St Peter Port Guernsey GY1 2NN
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DIVORCE SEPARATION CHILDREN FINANCES
Business
LEAVING ON A JET PLANE? ADVOCATE ADRIAN BROWN, PARTNER AT BROWNS ADVOCATES, DISCUSSES CHILD RELOCATION.
As the world shrinks and our lives become increasingly global, it is no surprise that the family courts have seen an increase in cases involving the international relocation of children. This is a trend that is reflected locally on Guernsey where following the breakdown of a marriage or relationship, the courts may be tasked to decide whether the children should be allowed to leave the island on a permanent basis. In practice, relocation applications are notoriously difficult. They are by their very nature binary, stay or go, with no in between. For the parent who wants to leave, relocation applications can provide the chance to return home or possibly pursue a new relationship or a specific work opportunity. The permutations and destinations are variable, but ultimately it comes down to the same question: should the court allow the children to leave? So how are these decisions made and what are your chances if you seek to pursue or defend a relocation application? The ground rules are quite simple. If you have parental rights, formally known as parental responsibility, then permission is needed before a child can be permanently removed from the jurisdiction. Anyone seeking to remove a child would be well advised to speak to the other parent, but if their consent is not forthcoming then a formal court application will be required. In practice, relocation applications are not quick and can take six months or longer, such is the nature of the court
investigation. This is led primarily by the Family Proceedings Advisory Service (formerly known as the Court Welfare Service) and their enquiries are usually prompted by detailed statements from each parent setting out the reasons to leave or stay. Over the years, judicial guidance on relocation applications has changed. Until recently, the courts placed great emphasis upon the relocating parent and the effect of a refusal on that party and ultimately the children. If the relocating parent was able to present a cogent and financially viable plan for relocation, including accommodation, schooling, finances and contact, then applications were rarely refused. Quite understandably, this caused disaffection amongst the ‘left behind’ parents whose day-today involvement in their children’s lives was invariably diminished. The modern approach is far more holistic and even-handed. Obvious though it might seem,
the best interests of the children are now the central focus. There is no presumption in favour of relocation and the court must consider the impact on both parents. Where one parent seeks to change well-functioning contact or shared care arrangements, then that parent has to make the running and show the court that the change is in the children’s best interest. Arguments in relation to the devastation and impact of a refusal on the relocating parent are now treated very circumspectly. The modern wisdom all seems very obvious now, but it has not always been this way. Relocation applications remain exceptionally difficult both for the court and all concerned. They require meticulous preparation and one is best advised to seek legal advice if faced with a need to relocate or prevent removal. Get it wrong and it’s no exaggeration to say that the consequences can be life changing.
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Business
IT’S ALL CHANGE BY MARK BOUSFIELD, GROUP MANAGING DIRECTOR OF RAVENSCROFT
It’s all change. For the last column of 2019, I am handing over to my new colleague Kevin Boscher in his role as Chief Investment Officer of Ravenscroft; he will provide his thoughts on the changing economic and political environment we find ourselves in – Kevin, over to you.
A CHANGE WOULD DO YOU GOOD, I THINK A CHANGE WOULD DO YOU GOOD Sheryl Crowe
I have been fortunate enough to spend the three months before joining Ravenscroft enjoying the summer, catching up on my reading and reflecting on the world we live in. It is clear that not only are we living through a period of economic and political uncertainty, but I think through a period of change. Not only is the political status quo being challenged, but there are a number of longer-term (secular) and shorter-term (cyclical) themes and trends which are combining to cloud the outlook and make predicting the future impossible. From a secular perspective, there are a number of factors supressing inflation and reducing potential economic growth rates. These include an ageing world demographic, falling levels of productivity across many industries, major technological disruption in multiple sectors and high levels of global debt. From a cyclical view, growing populism, retreating globalisation, Brexit and the increasing threat of trade and currency wars are all symptoms of weaker growth. In particular, they reflect a fall in middle-class living standards in the larger economies and a growing inequality gap between the wealthy and the less well off. You can add to this list other issues such as major economic imbalances within Europe, rising political unrest in the Middle East and the emergence of China as a major economic, military and technological superpower to rival the US. It is no wonder that governments, businesses and consumers are all struggling for direction. Having been involved in the investment industry for over 30 years, I am struggling to remember such a challenging financial environment. The UK is a great example of a country suffering from the interaction of many of these forces.
MARK BOUSFIELD AND KEVIN BOSCHER
For example, Brexit is mainly about the declining incomes of the ageing working class as jobs are outsourced to cheaper labour, either internally (via immigration) or externally (through globalisation). This issue alone is polarising the country and politics at a time when the UK economy is already underperforming due to some of the secular and cyclical trends identified above. Even when (or if) a Brexit plan is eventually agreed, this is just the start of a long process of debate, negotiation and implementation. The good news here is that UK assets have largely discounted much of the bad news, although much uncertainty remains. Both UK equities and Sterling look cheap on a long-term view, as evidenced by increasing overseas interest in acquiring quality British businesses. Given this difficult backdrop, it makes sense, from an investment point of view, to adopt a cautious stance. However, it is not all bad news for investors. Provided recession is avoided, the global economy should continue to grow at a rate which enables companies to deliver modest earnings growth and make further progress. Meanwhile, low inflation will enable central banks to keep interest rates at the current low (or negative) levels for some time, both supporting risk assets such as equities and bonds whilst continuing to make cash an unappealing investment. In addition, fiscal policy will increasingly be used by governments as a complement to accommodative monetary policy to both stimulate economic activity and boost longterm growth prospects. At Ravenscroft, we are naturally conscious of the changing economic and political landscape, but are focused on investing in companies, assets and themes which we consider to be undervalued and attractive on a long-term view. We also believe that many of these investments will prove more defensive should the market outlook worsen. In this way, we hope to continue to deliver attractive returns for our clients, regardless of the difficult macro background. My time to reflect has also made me appreciate even more what Guernsey has to offer. We certainly have our own issues to address and need to heed the warnings from global events and make sure we proactively deal with our own challenges. However, global events highlight the many attractions of Guernsey and I have no doubt that we will continue to see strong interest from people wishing to move to, or invest in, our special island. 81
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Business
IF I COULD TURN BACK TIME BY REBECCA GOATER, DIRECTOR, NETWORK INSURANCE AND FINANCIAL PLANNING Firstly, I am hoping that as you read the title to this article you all sang Cher’s 1989 classic song at the same time. It’s bouncing around my head as I write this article, which is, perhaps disappointingly, not about 1980s pop music, but in fact about investments, and when it is best to buy them. One question I get asked all the time (and even more so since the EU Referendum) is: ‘Is now a good time to invest or should I wait (until Brexit is over)?’ This is usually followed by some concerns about Brexit, which has been going on for over three years now! Perhaps by the time this article goes to print, we may be at least one step further along in the process (or we might not!), but whether we leave with a Deal or No Deal, we still likely have several more years of uncertainty to go, whilst the particulars are negotiated and organised. However, whilst Brexit is being talked about and on the news a lot at the moment, it is just one of a large number of factors that can affect investments in the short term and therefore, whilst investment managers are of course taking everything into account, it is only a short-term hurdle. This is why we only look to recommend investments over the medium to long term. There will always be fluctuations in value over the short term, whether that is because of 'Brexit' - or another as yet unexpected political or economic curve ball - but if you have a long timescale in which to invest, you can sit patiently (if slightly anxiously) through any bad patches, wait for the recovery, and hopefully enjoy the long-term positive returns we have historically seen, and expect to see in the future.
Anyone who has ever spoken to an investment manager is likely to have heard the phrase: ‘It is time in the market, not timing the market…’ possibly in response to the question asked above. Well, the reason that it is so often cited is because it is true, and important to remember for retail investors. No one can consistently, accurately predict what is going to happen with the markets (unless they have a time machine), which is why having long-term goals and being able to weather any short-term fluctuations is an essential objective for any investor. For this reason, we generally recommend that investments should be made with a long timescale in mind (and ideally, minimum five years). This is so that if the investment does go down one day, you don’t have to get too worried about it. Instead, you are in a position to just wait for it (hopefully) to go back up again and don’t have to cut your losses. Of course, despite the importance of a long timescale, there can still be lucky and unlucky investors and one can’t deny that timing can make a difference. One person may invest one day/year and then enjoy some positive returns, meaning they’re immediately 'up' on their initial investment (happy days). This could mean that even if/when there is a fall, they could still be above what they first put in, so they may not actually see any (real) loss at all even after a drop, which might help soften the blow. Meanwhile, another investor could invest the day before the market drops, meaning their investment immediately drops down below their initial investment amount. This would be unfortunate (and likely quite upsetting) for this unlucky investor. However, by having a
long investment timescale, even this investor can afford to leave the investment where it is, giving it time to recover and hopefully result in positive returns. Because of fear of a drop, not helped by alarming newspaper headlines, it is very easy to hesitate in relation to making an investment and struggle to decide when to actually invest. But with interest rates as they are currently, meaning that banks are generally offering negligible (if you’re lucky!) or negative real returns, the risk is that not investing is actually costing you money as well. Even the initially unlucky investor historically has ended up better off in the end than if they had kept their money in the bank (over a long timescale). Whilst this article is encouraging you to not delay investing, there are many factors to consider before investing funds. It could be that actually your funds are best just sitting in the bank account, or perhaps there is a suitable investment out there that can hopefully provide something back on your investment, whilst not keeping you awake at night worrying. Either way, none of us can turn back the clock, so contact a financial adviser today and they will be able to discuss your situation with you and perhaps help you jump into the investment pool in good time! We have a team of qualified financial advisers at Network Financial Planning. Please do get in touch on 01481 701400 or at advice@network.gg today for a free initial review with one of the qualified advisers to discuss your personal circumstances.
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Business
GUERNSEY MEETS FAMILY OFFICE NEEDS FOR EXPERTISE AND PROFESSIONALISM The strategic focus on the development of family office services and pivot to private capital contained in Guernsey’s Financial Services Policy Framework published last year is paying off. Indeed, research has demonstrated that more and more families are looking to structure their affairs in Guernsey, with economic substance a growing importance as a criteria for jurisdiction of choice. These and other global trends influencing the growth of the family office sector, particularly in Guernsey, were discussed at a Guernsey Finance family office briefing event in London. Guernsey has been offering services to family offices for some 50 years, through Guernsey trustees, corporate structures, banks, investment managers and fund managers, and family offices are also choosing to base themselves in the island. Guernsey has an ambition to build this sector in the island over the coming years. JURISDICTIONAL CHOICE Clare Stirzaker, Partner, Solicitor and family governance specialist at PwC, said that enthusiasm for the development of family offices was being underpinned by greater recognition and focus on structure, location and the running of the establishment. ‘Jurisdictions like Guernsey, who can give a lot of support given their expertise in this sector, can become the main infrastructure for the family office,’ she said.
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Anthony Holt, Managing Director of Albany Trustee Company in Guernsey, said: ‘The common theme we do see is the stewardship of family wealth and a genuine desire to manage their affairs professionally. That is where we as service providers step in, because there is a core inter-relationship between family offices and trust companies.’ SCRUTINY AND TRANSPARENCY The evolution of the family office and increased scrutiny and demands for transparency are also driving professionalism and simplification, said Catherine Grum, Head of Family Office Services at KPMG. ‘There are several impacts driving the evolution of family offices as the next generation come through, and they are paying scrutiny to arrangements that have been set up for a number of years,’ she added. SUSTAINABILITY There is evidence of an increasing trend for family offices to embrace green and sustainable investment and to move into private equity investing. ‘We are working with a few families to set up what is effectively an incubator for next-gen family members to try and experiment around impact investing, so they can learn and take some risks with a small amount of capital, and then transfer those skills and knowledge back to the family,’ said Catherine Grum.
GREEN AND SUSTAINABLE INVESTING AND PRIVATE CAPITAL Rajah Abusrewil, Partner at Walkers Global in Guernsey, said sustainable and renewal investment was coming to the fore with generation change.
The link between private capital and green and sustainable investing will be a focus of the Guernsey Private Wealth Forum in late November.
‘We are seeing that they want it hard-wired into the ethos of the family office now, so everyone is getting used to how they should bring ideas to the family office for this new thought of investment to occur.’
The event will follow the publication of a Guernsey Finance-commissioned report into green and sustainable investment by family offices, produced as part of our Reporting Global Developments series.
FAMILY OFFICES AND PRIVATE EQUITY Anthony Holt said that private capital is playing an increasing role in private equity. ‘Family offices are getting together with friends and family and pooling their resources, expertise and their trusted relationships to co-invest. They are able to achieve economies of scale and get better pricing, and it’s been a very successful strategy.’ Guernsey Finance Chief Executive Dominic Wheatley said the panel had highlighted how family office structures needed to be fit for purpose, and how the raison d’être for family offices was a starting point. ‘Flight to quality also comes up a lot because when you start looking at complexity and fitness for purpose, your requirements around the service standards and level of expertise, it is difficult to get that level from an individual,’ he said. ‘It’s very likely you will need a team of people around a range of disciplines. That is reflected in the range of backgrounds in Guernsey. Reputation and regulation are important, and as well as substance, there has been a build-up of a hub of relevant skills over 60 years’ experience as a finance centre. ‘The panel also recognised a rising interest in green, an issue the island is responding to through the development of Guernsey Green Finance.’ The event was also an opportunity to discuss the findings of research into the trends in family office services, published by Guernsey Finance. The full conclusions of that research can be read at: weareguernsey.com/literature/reporting-globaldevelopments-family-offices. The second Guernsey Private Wealth Forum takes place in London in November.
Highlights of that research reveal: •
Green and sustainable investment is becoming an increasingly important part of the investment strategy of many family offices.
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The younger generation – particularly those under 40 – are driving this trend.
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Enthusiasm to embrace the global climate change agenda – as outlined in the 2015 Paris Agreement, which established the United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals – is greater among investors than it currently is with wealth professionals, though it is likely that this market will develop rapidly in the near future.
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Nearly three-quarters of respondents want to see better returns from green and sustainable investment to encourage them to pursue that sector. More than half want to see greater clarity on green credentials – something offered by the Guernsey Green Fund, launched in 2018.
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Investors and wealth professionals also need to have trust in the sustainable investment product, believe that a regulatory wrapper would go a considerable way towards achieving this, and want to see regulatory assurance aligned with international principles. A significant majority said this would go some way to becoming a major factor in their decision-making on investment.
Address PO Box 655, Somers House, St Peter Port, Guernsey, GY1 3PN Phone +44 (0) 1481 720071 Twitter @WEAREGUERNSEY Email info@weareguernsey.com Web weareguernsey.com
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Butterfield Bank (Guernsey) Limited (“BBGL”) is licensed and regulated by the Guernsey Financial Services Commission (“GFSC”) under The Banking Supervision (Bailiwick of Guernsey) Law, 1994 and The Protection of Investors (Bailiwick of Guernsey) Law, 1987, each as amended from time to time, under registration number 85. BBGL’s products and services are available in Guernsey and only in those other jurisdictions where they may be legally offered or obtained. BBGL is registered under the Data Protection (Bailiwick of Guernsey) Law 2017, under registration number 11160 and with the Guernsey Registry under registration number 21061. BBGL is a participant in the Guernsey Banking Deposit Compensation Scheme (the “Scheme”) established by The Banking Compensation Scheme Deposit of Guernsey Ordinance, 2008 (the “Ordinance”). The scheme offers protection only in respect of ‘qualifying deposits’ (as that term is used in the Ordinance) of up to £50,000, subject to certain limitations. The maximum total amount of compensation is capped at £100,000,000 in any 5 year period subject to certain limitations as set out in the Ordinance. Full details are available on the Scheme’s website www.dcg.gg or upon request. Butterfield Trust (Guernsey) Limited (“BTGL”) is licensed and regulated by the GFSC under the Regulation of Fiduciaries, Administration Businesses and Company Directors, etc (Bailiwick of Guernsey) Law, 2000, as amended, under registration number 101113. BTGL is registered under the Data Protection (Bailiwick of Guernsey) Law 2017, under registration number 10959 and with the Guernsey Registry under registration number 31645. BBGL and BTGL both have their Registered Office address at P.O. Box 25, Regency Court, Glategny Esplanade, St Peter Port, Guernsey, GY1 3AP. Photo by Peter Chamberlain on Unsplash.
Business
SUPPORTING ECONOMIC SUBSTANCE IS VITAL FOR OUR ISLANDS BY PAUL SCHREIBKE, MANAGING DIRECTOR OF OAK As a result of increasing globalisation over the last few years, and in particular the financial crisis of 2008, there have been a number of initiatives introduced by both the EU and the OECD to promote fair competition between countries and increased transparency. Measures undertaken have included fiscal reporting via the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (FATCA) and Common Reporting Standard (CRS) and moves to make registers of beneficial ownership publicly available. The Crown Dependencies have committed themselves to fall in line with the changes to maintain and develop their legislation to comply with international and fiscal standards. The Oak Group, along with all other financial services businesses based in the islands, has needed to adapt to the changing regulatory landscape and whilst the changes have been challenging, they also represent opportunities to deepen relationships with our clients. THE INTRODUCTION OF ECONOMIC SUBSTANCE One of the most recent changes has been around ‘economic substance’. The new law came into force on 1 January 2019 and was established as a result of the EU’s Code of Conduct Group (COCG) investigating tax policies of non-EU countries. The three islands have agreed to introduce legislation in this respect to ensure that they were included within the EU’s list of co-operative tax jurisdictions. This legislation is intended to ensure that companies which
are either incorporated in or controlled and managed from a Crown Dependency have sufficient economic substance to justify the income that they receive. The legislation is aimed at specific areas of business activity where it is perceived that income could potentially be transferred to a low-tax jurisdiction without there being sufficient economic rationale for that transfer of income. The areas include banking, finance and leasing, fund management, insurance, distribution and service centres, headquartering operations, shipping, holding companies and intellectual property. DEMONSTRATING SUFFICIENT SUBSTANCE Companies which are involved in any of the above businesses will need to ensure that they can demonstrate that they have enough people, premises and expenditure to justify the income that they receive. In addition, those companies will need to adhere to company law standards and be able to demonstrate that they are controlled and managed by their directors at board meetings which should typically be held in the relevant island. Businesses will also need to demonstrate that they conduct Core Income Generating Activity (CIGA) in the relevant island. This means that activity that generates money for the company has to be conducted from within the island, even if the CIGA is carried out by another entity on behalf of the company.
Failure to adhere will lead to sanctions which would include financial penalties, reporting to competent authorities in other jurisdictions and potentially being struck off from the Companies Register. SUPPORTING OUR STANDARDS OF GOVERNANCE AND TRANSPARENCY As a result, service providers should be adhering to Oak’s policy of reviewing all companies to determine whether or not they fall within the scope of the legislation, and if so, ensuring that they have sufficient substance to justify the income that they receive. This review is an ongoing process and applies to existing entities and any new business that Oak takes on. As one of the very few trust and corporate service providers which gives their clients full coverage of the Crown Dependencies by having a presence in each island, Oak fully supports the efforts of legislators to ensure that the islands remain top of the class for standards of governance and transparency. We believe that this provides our varied international client base with the comfort and reassurance that their affairs are being managed in a professional manner backed by robust legislation. At Oak we wish to attract highquality clients and recognise that in order to both keep existing business and to attract new business to the islands it is vital that standards and reputation are maintained and enhanced.
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Meet the recruitment team that believes
When work’s good, life’s better. Shauna James
Senior Recruiter, permanent candidates. Enjoys sport and spending time with his young family.
Suzy
Temporary and Permament Recruiter. Loves yoga, baking and looking after her baby girl.
Temporary and Permament Recruiter. Loves reading and exploring new holiday destinations.
Olivia Tony
Senior Recruiter and Head of Business Development. Loves cooking, Lego and hanging out with his son.
Senior Temporary and Permament Recruiter. Often found pottering in her garden, growing her own fruit and veg.
Steve
Senior Recruiter, permanent candidates. Big lover of the outdoors and his four adorable dogs.
Sally
Senior Recruiter, permanent candidates. Her two cute pups, Bertie and Chalky, fill her time outside work.
We know this because it works for us here at Source - and we want it to work for you too. As recruitment experts, we appreciate everyone’s unique skills, priorities and aspirations. That’s why we are dedicated to working together to find the role that’s perfect for you.
Call us on 701616, email: hello@source.gg or visit www.source.gg
Business FAC ES
O F
B U SI N E SS
NICCI MARTEL Journalist Nicci Martel recently started her new role as Editor of Travel Eye CI. With a background in journalism and marketing, and a passion for travel, she can’t wait to embrace her new position.
How do you start off your working day?
Do you travel much in your role?
What’s the best piece of advice you were ever given?
I distract my toddler with breakfast, while I wade through emails, check my day’s to-do list, and scroll through the Travel Eye CI social media channels, checking for relevant updates and content ideas. Then I either do the pre-school drop off or we go to a morning playgroup. Perhaps some time around 10am, I’ll remember to eat.
As yet, the role hasn’t actually required me to travel, funnily enough. But one of the perks of travel writing is the potential for a press trip.
I’m terrible at remembering advice, which might explain a lot. In terms of professional words of wisdom, I was told never to write something I wouldn’t read myself, and that’s something I come back to quite often. No matter how dry a subject, it’s your job to make it interesting.
How would you describe your leadership style? Travel Eye CI is part of Collaborate CI Limited, and we are a small (but growing) team, with each person responsible for their respective areas. My role is to actualise the vision of Collaborate for its new travel platform, so there is a lot of pitching of ideas and open discussion, and analysing metrics to check we’re headed in the right direction. But working from home can be quite a solitary existence - it’s one of the best and worst things about it.
How do you see your role in the local community? Travel news and writing is different to your day-to-day hard news journalism, for which I think it’s important to be a mouthpiece for your local community. Travel Eye CI is a champion for the Channel Islands’ tourist industries, as well as a source of aspirational travel ideas. It’s the kind of content that I myself, as your average working parent, would read and think, ‘I would love to go there and do that, one day.’
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Where is your favourite place in the world? This is tough one. There’s a tiny family-run bakery in a gorgeous small mountain village on the Greek island of Naxos, and if I could buy spinach pies from there every day for the rest of my life, I’d be very happy. The tiny island of Malapascua in the Philippines is also somewhere I’d love to revisit, though I suspect it may have lost some of its magic thanks to heavy development.
How would you quantify success? I think contentment is success. We’re all chasing happiness, in whatever form we can get it, and it’s surprisingly hard to achieve when there is so much pressure to have more and be more. Whether it's feeling happy in yourself, happy with work and family, or your place in this world, if you’re content, you’re winning. Happiness has to be the ultimate goal, right?
What single achievement are you most proud of? It’s such a boring cliché, but my child. Seeing that my kid is growing up healthy and happy, and feels secure and loved, fills me with pride. But he’s young, so there’s still time to mess it up.
How do you maintain a healthy work/life balance? By working flexible hours. I’m so fortunate to have a job that allows me to choose where and when I work. Flexible working is vital for helping women back into the workplace after having children, and just as important for allowing men to get back into the home to share childcare responsibilities. More workplaces should offer it.
Where do you see yourself/ the business in five years? Honestly, I’m not a big fan of looking ahead. I’d much rather try and enjoy the here and now. As for Travel Eye CI, the potential is huge. Our aim is to develop the platform so it can offer immediacy of reportage, provide the most relevant practical information, and present destinations and stories in a new and imaginative way.
What is the last thing you think about at the end of the day? How much I love my bed.
When work's good, life's better. www.source.gg 89
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For more information call Simon Graham on +44 (0) 1481 755860 or email simon.graham@nsmtrust.com
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Business
PE COMMUNICATIONS NEED TO FOCUS ON GLOBAL BRAND BUILDING
In the aftermath of the 2008 banking collapse, private equity firms benefitted from a bull market in equities. Returns for investors were incredibly strong and the private equity market enjoyed a golden era which peaked between 2016-2018. Fast forward ten years and current evaluations are overinflated, the number of exits has risen and an increasing number of lowlevel deals are on the table. Whilst expectations remain high, returns are unlikely to be as lucrative as the past couple of years. With geopolitical and economic uncertainty resurfacing, the competition to attract and retain investors is becoming increasingly challenging. Investment in the UK has cooled around the indecisions leading (or not leading) up to a Brexit and a slowdown in China, together with various trade conflicts, is creating volatile markets. Private equity firms are actively creating innovative strategies to win over investors, but potential stakeholders are increasingly becoming more focused on how returns will be engineered rather than the opportunities that are available. Fund managers should be prepared to face greater competition for capital. That means creating an effective communication strategy and building brand awareness using their global portfolio as a maypole. PUTTING THEIR REPUTATION ON THE LINE Investors typically support private equity projects with firms that are well established; brands that have earned public trust reflect the risk-averse culture of investors.
It’s also worth bearing in mind that investors do not always understand the industry and will question allocations. PE firms, therefore, need to demonstrate investment expertise and reassure their audiences that they can be trusted to deliver returns. Marketing and investor communications need to evoke trust through transparency, governance, risk assessment, fund management and a commitment to social and environmental issues. Most importantly, communications have to raise brand awareness in the global marketplace. Communication should be approached as an activity that supports capitalraising and strategically utilises insights and analysis. Building a brand boils down to raising awareness of the firm’s reputation. With the investor base becoming increasingly diverse, it makes sense to promote an international portfolio across multiple touchpoints. Leading PE firms understand reputation goals and devote significant time and resources to global brand building. CONTENT IS KEY Online platforms have made it easier for enterprises across every industry to reach a wider audience. External communications are no longer refined to press engagement and conference appearances but should be channelled through websites, social media networks, influencer websites and news aggregation forums.
By creating a repository of online content, a firm can be positioned as an industry leader in business growth. The private equity story is best told through a firm’s own portfolio companies.
A D V E R T O R I A L
BY JAMES ORRICK, MANAGING DIRECTOR OF PEA
Leverage thought leadership content with illustrative case studies and video content that feature CEOs of portfolio companies speaking about the value of private equity ownership with the firm. Bring online channels to life with news media that demonstrates expertise, competencies and success stories. Engage influencers that will give brand credibility and support. The more content put in front of the target audience the more exposure will be earned through shares and mentions. When an investor, advisor or business owner sees the firm’s investment criteria they are more inclined to trust the firm’s potential and approach with an enquiry. THE CASE FOR BRAND BUILDING Demand for PE competency will be the main focus of investors as we forge deeper into the macroeconomic cycle. Internal and external communications will need to underscore a disciplined approach to deploying capital and securing lucrative deals. Brand building not only supports capital raising but also earns trust in companies that are seeking a PE buyout. Brands with a solid reputation naturally generate greater interest from the marketplace and ultimately build an attractive portfolio that returns value.
Private Equity Administrators Limited is regulated by the Guernsey Financial Services Commission and licensed under both The Protection of Investors (Bailiwick of Guernsey) Law, 1987 and The Regulation of Fiduciaries, Administration Businesses and Company Directors, etc (Bailiwick of Guernsey) Law, 2000.
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RENT
5 Commercial Arcade
RENT
10-12 High Street
Prominent Retail Unit 684 sq ft
Market Buildings
Prime Retail Unit 1,149 sq ft
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Trafalgar Court
Retail Unit/Licenced Premises 1,912 sq ft
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Grade A Offices 3,080 sq ft
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Range of Uses 1,715 - 6,133 sq ft
T 01481 740071 E info@watts.property
Open Plan Offices 5,122 sq ft
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Windsor House
Design-Led Office Scheme Suites from 1,240 sq ft
Commercial Property Agents & Chartered Surveyors SALES & LETTINGS / LEASE CONSULTANCY PROPERTY MANAGEMENT / VALUATION
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Prime Offices 3,326 sq ft
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St James’ Place
New Office Development 18,181 sq ft
Business
L-R: HANNAH MARTIN, LAURENCE HILL-TOUT, WING LAI, EMMA MACARTHUR, JOANNA WATTS, NEIL LANGLOIS & OCTAVIA LORD (VIV SCHREIBKE NOT PICTURED)
Watts & Co, now renamed Watts Property Consultants, recently celebrated its 10year anniversary and has just rebranded to build on its growing reputation as Guernsey’s leading commercial property specialist. Launched by Joanna Watts in August 2009, the firm has enjoyed phenomenal success over the last decade by filling the gap in the market for a dedicated and regulated commercial surveying firm. Growing from a two-person team to a sevenstrong operation, the business has forged a reputation as a trusted and professional property specialist. Watts Property Consultants’ offering spans the complete range of commercial property services, from valuations and property management to lettings, sales and dispute resolution. With market share across Guernsey, the business has seen consistent
organic growth year-on-year, culminating in record figures of over £135 million in investment agency sales over the past two years. Many of Watts Property Consultants’ activities have positively impacted the local community. Last year, the firm was retained by the States to support the Seafront Enhancement Programme by identifying projects to positively enhance Guernsey’s Eastern Seaboard. The team has also worked closely with Economic Development and Locate Guernsey to support business and new commercial entrants looking to move to the island. More recently, the firm was involved in securing the Premier Inn deal at Admiral Park, which will provide a welcome boost to the local construction industry and deliver several benefits to Guernsey’s tourism sector.
Joanna Watts, Managing Director, said: ‘It’s fantastic to look back on the past decade and see how far we’ve come. We’ve celebrated some incredible milestones and are proud of how we’ve garnered a reputation as a proactive and responsive firm with an intelligent, professional approach to resolving all manner of commercial property issues.
A D V E R T O R I A L
A DECADE AT THE TOP OF THE PROPERTY LADDER FOR WATTS & CO AND CONTINUING TO MOVE FORWARD
‘We’re looking forward to growing on our success and continuing to evolve. As part of this process we have just rebranded and launched a new website. We have also changed our name to “Watts Property Consultants”, all of which is testament to how we have a comprehensive team that is keeping pace with technology and innovation to deliver real value to our clients through our breath of service offering.’ Visit the new Watts Property Consultants website and see their new branding at watts.property. 93
Business
A D V E R T O R I A L
WHAT IS THE EU SETTLEMENT SCHEME? AND HOW DOES IT APPLY TO ME OR MY FAMILY? BY ROBERT FULLMAN AND CHRISTOPHER DYE, SENIOR ASSOCIATES AT BABBÉ LLP
There are around 3.6 million European Union citizens living and working in the United Kingdom (and Channel Islands), with many of them uncertain of their rights after the UK leaves the EU. The British government has vowed that EU nationals currently living in the United Kingdom will be able to stay. Thus, it has introduced the EU Settlement Scheme. What is the EU Settlement Scheme? The EU Settlement Scheme is a free application scheme that will allow EU nationals to legally continue to live and work in Guernsey and the UK after Brexit. It therefore has direct relevance in Guernsey and is important for individuals and business alike. DO YOU NEED TO APPLY? Who should apply? The majority of the EU, EEA and Swiss citizens (and their family members) living in the UK will have to apply to the EU Settlement Scheme, with certain exceptions being if you are an Irish citizen or have indefinite leave to remain. The deadline for applying is 31 December 2020 (in the event of a no-deal Brexit) and 30 June 2021 (if the UK leaves the EU with a deal). If your application to the EU Settlement Scheme is successful, you will be able to continue living in Guernsey and the UK after the relevant deadline. HOW TO APPLY? There are two different types of settled status under the scheme, namely ‘settled status’ and ‘pre-settled status’. A specific status cannot be applied for; the status an individual will be awarded depends on how long he or she has been living in Guernsey and/or the UK. Settled status will be awarded to individuals who have lived in Guernsey and/or the UK for five years continuously (meaning for at least six months in any 12-month period for the past five years). Pre-settled status will be awarded to individuals with less than five years continuous residence, whereafter they will be able to apply for settled status once they have continuously lived in Guernsey and/or the UK for five years. If the five years continuous residence threshold will be reached at some point before 30 December 2020
Robert Fullman Senior Associate Babbé LLP
Chris Dye Senior Associate Babbé LLP
deadline, a person may prefer to qualify for settled status before applying, in order to avoid having to apply twice. WHAT HAPPENS ONCE I HAVE MY STATUS CONFIRMED? Pre-settled status will give the right to legally live and work in Guernsey and the UK for a further five years from the date pre-settled status is awarded. Settled and pre-settled status individuals have the same rights, the main difference is that settled status will entitle a person to spend five years in a row outside Guernsey and the UK without losing their status compared to pre-settled where a person will lose their status after spending two years’ in a row outside Guernsey and the UK. Once an individual has qualified for settled status, they will be able to stay in Guernsey or the UK indefinitely and will also be able to apply for British citizenship, usually after 12 months of having obtained settled status. DOES IT REPLACE OTHER RESIDENCY STATUSES? For Channel Island residents the EU Settlement Scheme will be operated under immigration legislation and is entirely separate to the Guernsey Population Management Law (and the domestic laws controlling residence in Alderney and Sark) which will continue to apply as they do now. The EU Settlement Scheme will not only have a direct influence on individuals’ rights to live and work in Guernsey and the UK, but it will also directly affect employers of EU citizens. For EU Settlement Scheme advice or any other legal issue, please get in touch with any of our qualified professionals at Babbé LLP. Disclaimer: This article is intended to provide a general overview of the EU settlement scheme and it is not intended as legal advice and should not be relied on as such. At the time of writing the exact arrangements of the UK’s exit from the EU are unconfirmed, but in any of the outcomes, deal, no deal or delay, the settlement scheme will come into effect.
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Timing is everything. When disaster strikes you need immediate action. As the only locally-owned and independently operated chartered loss adjuster, we have, for the past 15 years, offered unrivalled service and expertise in respect of both commercial and domestic insurance property claims throughout the Channel Islands.
Acting on behalf of locally based insurers and brokers
because...it happens
www.ciadjusters.com
A D V E R T O R I A L
Business
CHANNEL ISLANDS ADJUSTERS TEAM CELEBRATES A MILESTONE YEAR One of the secrets of any successful person or business is learning to roll with the punches during challenging times. Although imagine if every situation you dealt with was another person’s disaster. What if your team always had to be at the ready to assess the situation and guide your clients through the next steps? That’s a reasonable description of a normal day in the office at Channel Islands Adjusters, led by husband and wife team Richard and Julieanne Headington. Chartered Loss Adjusters are the industry experts in navigating the process in the event of an insurance claim. It’s a specialist area requiring expert knowledge and skills, along with a full understanding of the insurance industry. Spend an hour in the CI Adjusters’ office and it becomes clear that no two days are ever the same. The team bounce in from and out to site visits assessing damage to residential and commercial properties across Guernsey, Jersey, Alderney, Herm and Sark. Most commonly this is through water damage, fire or storm, but it can encompass any accident or mishap in the home which is large enough to warrant their specialist knowledge. For a couple who deal with disasters every day, Richard and Julie-anne are incredibly optimistic, rational and reassuring. Not surprising, considering they have combined
L-R: JULIE-ANNE HEADINGTON, AARON SLATTERY, JOSH SMITH, RICHARD HEADINGTON AND TRACY LE PAGE
experience of more than five decades in the industry and established CI Adjusters 15 years ago. ‘I suppose if you think about it, no-one ever really wants to be contacted by a Loss Adjuster,’ admits Richard, ‘because inevitably it means that you’ve had an issue in your home or business. The thing is, as we always say, ‘…it happens’. When it does, you need the right people on hand to guide you through the process so that you can get back to normal life as soon as possible.’ 2019 has been another milestone year for Richard and Julie-anne, who were the first married couple in the world to become Chartered Loss Adjusters. Earlier this year, they celebrated their 10,000th case and Finance Director Julie-anne became both an Associate of the Chartered Insurance Institute and a Chartered Insurance Practitioner. With her Chartered Loss Adjuster status, this meant she is now ‘double chartered’ and joins Richard as the only two Loss Adjusters in the Channel Islands to hold this status. Alongside Richard and Julie-anne is the most qualified team in the Channel Islands. Josh Smith and Aaron Slattery recently celebrated qualifying as British Damage Management Association Insurance Technicians. They become one of just four practitioners with the qualification in Guernsey, one of
whom is Channel Islands Adjusters founder Richard Headington. Both Josh and Aaron will become Chartered Loss Adjusters by the end of 2019 and Office Manager Tracy Le Page is studying for her Loss Adjusting Certificate. Julie-anne explains, ‘Tracy, Josh and Aaron’s hard work and dedication means that the islands will benefit from locally-grown Loss Adjusters leading the industry for the next 40 years or more.’ As for the future, the team has no plans of slowing down. Aaron has been selected to join the Chartered Institute of Insurers’ ‘New Generation Group’; a flagship talent programme showcasing stars from across the insurance industry and giving them the opportunity to shape the future of the profession. Meanwhile, Richard is helping to share the company’s expertise in the CI market with the wide range of insurers offering services in the islands. He says, ‘Our local knowledge means claims are more likely to complete to both the client and insurer’s satisfaction, which is a win-win for everyone.’ ‘It’s exciting times,’ says Julie-anne, ‘and we wouldn’t have it any other way.’
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Bring alive your 9-5 Job satisfaction and enjoyment are paramount. At Situations, we take great pride in finding people the perfect role for their career aspirations and interests. Come and talk to the experts.
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Business
MARTYN BAUDAINS AND VICTORIA GROGAN
WILLS – YOU CAN DIY THEM, BUT SHOULD YOU? BY VICTORIA GROGAN, COUNSEL, OGIER JERSEY AND MARTYN BAUDAINS PARTNER, OGIER GUERNSEY
Getting a template for a DIY Will couldn’t be easier – they can be obtained from a stationery shop or online for as little as £20. But just because you can, doesn’t always mean you should. The cheap option of writing a Will yourself and avoiding professional charges can seem attractive but a simple mistake can mean that your estate, and your beneficiaries, end up paying a much higher price so it can be a risky approach. If errors are made or if the Will is not witnessed in accordance with the strict witnessing requirements, the Will could end up being completely invalid. The implications of this can be serious. Not only are you at risk of leaving your family in a financial and emotional mess but your testamentary wishes in respect of who you want to inherit your estate might be ineffective. Furthermore, your estate can be diminished in value due to legal bills or unnecessary tax or charges that could have been reduced with better planning. Even if your affairs seem simple, the DIY approach can be far from straightforward. A DIY Will often does not allow
for changes in circumstances, for example if you have children after you have made the Will. Recent surveys have suggested that two thirds of people die without leaving a valid Will. This means that their estate will instead fall to the people that the law provides for, which may not always accord with the deceased person's wishes. For example, Jersey and Guernsey law make no provision for those people who live together but have never married to automatically inherit any part of their partner's estate if their partner dies without leaving a valid Will. If the person who has passed away owns the home in which the couple reside, and also has children from a previous relationship, the estate assets, including the home, will fall to the children and the surviving partner is at risk of being left homeless and penniless. Many people think that having drawn up a DIY Will they have adequately completed succession planning only for their families to discover, after their death, that their Will was not as effective as
they had hoped. DIY Will packs can lack thorough instructions meaning that vital information can be missed out. For example, they do not always mention that you should name a substitutional beneficiary in case the person you want to inherit your estate ends up passing away before you, and they cannot properly advise you as to the intricacies of the law that you might need to be aware of when considering your estate planning. Instructing a lawyer to draw up your Will for you means that there is less chance of it being challenged. Your lawyer will keep accurate records of your wishes and a note of your meetings and calls with them which means that the Will and its meaning is less open to interpretation. Your intentions and wishes will be clearly set out and you will be advised upon the implications of these. Plus, the cost of asking a lawyer to draw up a Will might only be a fraction of the cost to your heirs of doing it yourself and getting it wrong. Do it yourself? You can, but at your own risk!
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OUR PERSONAL FINANCIAL ADVICE BEGINS WITH ONE QUESTION:
WHAT MATTERS TO YOU?
juliusbaer.com
Bank Julius Baer & Co. Ltd., Lefebvre Court, Lefebvre Street, St Peter Port, Guernsey GY1 4BS, T +44 (0)1481 726618 Bank Julius Baer & Co. Ltd., Guernsey Branch is licensed in Guernsey to provide banking and investment services and is regulated by the Guernsey Financial Services Commission.
Business
RARE EARTH ELEMENTS: THE NEW GOLD RUSH BY CRAIG ALLEN, HEAD OF INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT AT JULIUS BAER IN GUERNSEY
Developments in technology are creating fresh demand for specific raw materials, leading to sharp price fluctuations and a competitive race to find new sources of the elements, from land to sea and even to space. Craig Allen, Head of Investment Management at Julius Baer in Guernsey, examines this latter-day gold rush and the effects it is having on commodity prices and financial markets. It is undeniable that we are in the midst of a smart electronics boom; in 2010 there were around 300 million smartphones worldwide, by 2018 there were three billion. The global smart TV market will be worth nearly USD 300 billion by 2025, according to Grand View Research. In late 2016, there were two million electric cars on the world’s roads; two years later there were five million, and this market looks set to grow exponentially.
mining more attractive in developed countries. In 2015 the Hemerdon tungsten mine on the edge of Dartmoor reopened after 70 years. It cost £130 million to reopen the mine, which was said to sit on top of the world’s fourth-largest tungsten deposit. Unfortunately, by the time the mine had reopened, tungsten prices had fallen back to previous levels. The mine subsequently lost more than £100 million and fell into administration.
This boom has created a surge in demand for certain raw materials used in the manufacture of devices including gallium, indium, cobalt, tungsten and the group of 17 rare earth elements.
Norbert Rücker, Head Economics and Next Generation Research at Julius Baer, notes that this is a classic commodity cycle. When demand increases, prices tend to rise in the short term. This leads to new mines opening, an increase in supply and finally a collapse in prices.
This structural increase in demand has had a profound effect on commodity prices. Between 2009 and 2016 the price of cobalt was in slow decline due to a lack of demand. But cobalt is used in most lithium-ion rechargeable batteries for electric cars, so when the vehicles became more popular in 2017, the price of cobalt tripled, before subsequently reverting to its long-term trend. VOLATILE PRICES Despite China dominating the raw materials market, recent price rises of these elements have made
When prices rise, all sorts of possibilities start to be discussed. For example, there was great excitement last year when it was announced that 16 million tonnes of rare earth metals had been found in deep sea mud 1,850 km from Tokyo. Potentially this would be enough to supply the world for centuries to come and break the Chinese dominance of this market. With the amount of the deposit unknown and the location being remote, it remains to be seen whether it will
be economic to extract the minerals from the bottom of the ocean. There is even talk of mining asteroids in space for silver and palladium at some point in the future. The risks and costs involved in this project would clearly be astronomical! INNOVATIONS AND SUSTAINABILITY Inaccessible locations and volatile prices encourage the producers of electronics, car batteries and other goods to innovate; NMC (lithium nickel manganese cobalt oxide) batteries have already evolved so that a lot less cobalt and manganese is required in production, for example. We are also seeing innovative, greener ways of accessing these elements such as the extraction of rare earth elements from coal ash. It seems that the pioneering spirit of those past gold rushes is still alive. However, this time the rush is in labs and research facilities, rather than in California or Australia. If history has taught us anything, it is that science often eliminates the need for rare and expensive materials altogether. If you’re interested in learning more about these Next Generation themes or investing with Julius Baer, please contact Craig Allen on 01481 746461 or craig.allen@juliusbaer.com
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A D V E R T O R I A L
Business
OUR FUTURE IS LOWER CARBON
GJ1 N1 N2 N3
How much do you know about the new subsea electricity cable? At Guernsey Electricity, our priority is to minimise the impact on our environment. THE FUTURE OF GUERNSEY IS ELECTRIC
WHY DO WE NEED A SUBSEA ELECTRICITY CABLE?
The energy sector worldwide is transforming rapidly and turning its back on fossil-fuels. Guernsey Electricity is also driving forward and striving to meet Guernsey’s future needs; from solar panels, to electric vehicles, to smarter electric heating solutions, we’re ensuring the island is fit for an all-electric future.
The current subsea cable known as GJ1 connects Guernsey to France via Jersey.
Imported lower-carbon and renewable energy allows us to offer innovative, world-class energy solutions that embrace smart technology, respect the environment, and drive our economy forward.
The cable served the island for 18 years, importing over 4,500 GWh (Giga Watt Hours.) This is enough energy to boil 45 billion kettles full of water – give or take a few! It failed in October 2018 and since then, each one of us have relied heavily on the Vale Power Station for our electricity needs. To return our island to secure, lower-carbon electricity and minimise the environmental and economic effects of relying
on fossil-fuels, the emergency repair was fast-tracked and the existing cable has been replaced. WHERE DOES THE CABLE GO? It comes ashore at Havelet bay in Guernsey and Greve de Lecq bay in Jersey. This route was chosen to optimise cable burial and to minimise disruption to marine users.
WE HAVE SIGNIFICANTLY REDUCED YOUR CARBON FOOTPRINT FOR YOU, BUT YOU CAN DO MORE!
Together in electric dreams
36M
electric cars on the road in the UK by 2040
Islanders have switched 100's of from fossil-fuel to electric heating systems in the last 18 months
We aim to import over 90% of Guernsey’s electricity from lowercarbon, sustainable sources in France. Our energy mix includes 30% tidal energy from La Rance tidal barrage just outside of St Malo.
FROM ABOVE CLOCKWISE: NKT VICTORIA CLEARING THE SEABED IN HAVELET BAY READY FOR THE INSTALLATION OF GJ1 THE 37.4KM GJ1 CABLE BEING LOADED ONTO THE NKT VICTORIA TURNTABLE THE GJ1 CABLE WAS MANUFACTURED IN THE KARLSKRONA FACTORY, SWEDEN THE GJ1 CABLE BEING FLOATED ASHORE AT GREVE DE LECQ BAY, JERSEY IN EARLY OCTOBER
WHAT IS THE GJ1 CABLE? GJ1 is a subsea electricity interconnector linking Guernsey to Jersey. An interconnector connects electricity transmission systems of different countries, in this case via the subsea cables. It provides opportunities to trade electricity and helps ensure a safe, secure, affordable energy supply for islanders. CABLE FACTS
37.4km
77kg
LONG
PER METRE
Manufactured with zero Co2 footprint in Sweden using only renewable energy
WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR YOUR HOME? We have significantly reduced your carbon footprint for you, but you can do more! Electric heating is the home improvement that saves more than just money. Come in from the cold this winter and enjoy a cleaner, greener heating solution that’s better for you, and better for the environment. Visit the home heating centre at Northside, The Bridge, Vale, GY1 3AD online at electricity.gg/heating or call 01481 200749 for a free home survey and quote.
For energy saving tips, the latest news and offers, sign up to our E-Newsletter www.electricity.gg/ signup
LTS Tax Limited A specialist Guernsey independent firm of Chartered Tax Advisers. Highly experienced in providing tax advice, accountancy and full tax compliance services to individuals, trustees and companies.
Francis Snoding CTA Managing Director E: fran.snoding@lts-tax.com
Julian Turian ATT FMATT Director, LTS Tax Limited E: julian.turian@lts-tax.com
David Parrott CTA Associate Director, LTS Tax Limited E: david.parrott@lts-tax.com
Natalie Chamberlain CTA Associate Director, LTS Tax Limited E: natalie.chamberlain@lts-tax.com
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Luke Harding CTA Associate Director E: luke.harding@lts-tax.com
Bespoke services include; Guernsey and UK tax advice Preparation of tax returns UK residence and domicile planning Inheritance tax planning Emigration and immigration planning Trust tax advice and compliance Fund taxation and reporting obligations Estate planning and executorship services Advising on real estate holding structures ATED and tax on UK residential property Private client services Pensions including: RATS / QROPS / IPPs / EBTs / EFRBS
LTS Tax Limited PO Box 20, Les Echelons Court, St Peter Port, Guernsey, GY1 4AN. T: +44 (0)1481 755862 F: +44 (0)1481 713369
www.lts-tax.com
LTS Tax Limited (registration number: 54292) is registered with the Chartered Institute of Taxation as a firm of Chartered Tax Advisers. Please see our website www.lts-tax.com for details. Registered office: Les Echelons Court, Les Echelons, St Peter Port, Guernsey, GY1 1AR.
With a network of offices spanning the world's leading financial centres, we can support your business objectives with the full spectrum of offshore legal services. Our global reach is underpinned by extensive experience in our jurisdictions and by longstanding connections with both industry bodies and other professional advisers.
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With you wherever your business takes you OFFSH OR E L AW S PEC I A LI ST S B E R MU DA C APE TOW N
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GUERNSEY'S FINTECH FUTURE… BY LUKE SAYER, SENIOR ASSOCIATE AT CAREY OLSEN Guernsey continues to thrive as a centre for financial services innovation, with the island’s businesses demonstrating their appetite not only to partner with global fintech giants, but also to develop their own pioneering technology. FACILITATION OF SMART CONTRACTS Earlier this year, the States approved a draft Ordinance under the Electronic Transactions (Guernsey) Law, 2000, which is designed to create certainty in relation to the legal effect, validity or enforceability of contracts involving an electronic agent(s). This, in effect, facilitates the use of smart contracts in commercial transactions, whereby the contracts can be stored on either a public or a private blockchain and made visible to the participants of that blockchain. Smart contracts are essentially self-executing contacts with specific instructions written in their code, which are executed when certain conditions are met. The new provisions enable contracts to be formed by the interaction of electronic agents without any human involvement, or by the interaction of an electronic agent and a natural person. This places Guernsey ahead of the pack in terms of providing a legal framework for the use of blockchain technology in commercial transactions, where the formation, execution, performance and termination of a contract cannot be denied legal effect solely because it involves electronic agents. While the use of smart contracts is very much in its infancy, the use of virtual assets (including cryptocurrencies) is on the rise and this is unquestionably a positive step for Guernsey’s financial services businesses. From a legal perspective, Guernsey may also be in a position to lead the way in building a catalogue of judicial authorities and guidance, given the infrastructure now in place to facilitate such unique legal debate.
The crypto asset end-to-end solution will see the buyer's fiat cash (e.g. EUR, GBP, USD) and seller's crypto assets held to the order of Zedra and governed by an innovative tri-partite escrow agreement containing the transaction's terms. Following proof of funds, verification of the Bitcoin and satisfaction of the terms of the arrangement, the transaction will conclude and the Bitcoin is transferred to the buyer via ‘hot wallets’, or a cold storage custody platform. Carey Olsen advised Zedra on the legalities attached to the acquisition, custody and security of crypto assets to ensure the protection of both Zedra and its clients. While Guernsey does not presently have any specific regulatory laws or guidance relating to any form of crypto assets or initial coin offerings (ICOs), the message emanating from Guernsey is positive, with the States and the Guernsey Financial Services Commission (GFSC) committed to encouraging innovation and adoption of emerging technologies where appropriate. Indeed, the GFSC has suggested that it will continue to consider the key controls around custody, liquidity, valuation of assets and protection of investors when assessing the suitability of an applicant for regulation. EXPERIENCE As a firm, Carey Olsen advised the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchange, Binance, on the launch of its Jersey platform earlier this year. Binance Jersey provides secure and reliable Sterling and Euro to cryptocurrency (Bitcoin and Ethereum) exchange, enabling investors easy access to the rapidly evolving cryptocurrency market, and an alternative to standard currency (fiat) exchange.
CRYPTO ASSETS
The firm has also advised on some of the most innovative cryptocurrency funds, ICOs and other digital asset ventures. By providing tailored advice we can protect our clients' positions throughout the development and testing phases and foresee potential regulatory and compliance issues.
While many in recent years have expressed cynicism regarding the purpose, security and stability of crypto assets, they are being much more broadly adopted as a means of transacting for value and are very much part of the future financial landscape. This has been recognised by a number of Guernsey businesses, including trust, fund and corporate services provider Zedra, which recently launched its end-to-end solution for the purchase and sale of crypto assets.
Looking ahead, the next 12 months are likely to see significant changes to both global technologies and the regulatory landscape. Provided pragmatic choices are made, without eliminating innovation, we can expect jurisdictions embracing the technology to attract a great deal of international business. In this regard, Guernsey is well placed to succeed as a fintech hub, setting an example in how to manage and deal with both tangible and digital assets. 107
Don't be a fish out of water. Let us take care of it. Litigation specialists and insurance specialists Providing a full claims handling service and legal representation for a number of insurers, to include Channel Island insurers Experienced, qualified solicitors who can provide efficient and low cost solutions Act for a number of high net worth individuals and provide practical, commercially driven solutions
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Business
KEEPING IT IN THE FAMILY BY ANDREW FARRELL, HEAD OF LITIGATION, PROSPERITY LAW LLP Did you know that 88% of all the UK’s businesses are family owned? That’s 4.8 million family businesses. Business life can be complicated, and never more so than when you add family relationships into the mix: emotional investment, family issues and anxieties can derail a family business. Only about 20% of family businesses make it to the third generation. What’s needed is an effective succession plan.
6. Take a look at your people – have you got the right skill sets and experience to take the business forward? There’s no substitute for sound business judgement. It can often help family members to become more engaged if they are encouraged to gain relevant qualifications, or get on-the-job training, and it’s a great way of inspiring the next generation to get involved.
Let’s start by considering what a succession plan is. It is a comprehensive strategy for what happens to a family business when its owners retire, become unable to work or die. The best succession plans include open consultation with the whole family and map out a future for the business that everyone has signed up to.
7. Develop a plan – it’s equally as important to map out an exit plan for the owner as it is to identify future leadership and strategic direction. In a family business, the needs of the family as well as the business also need to be set out.
Sounds good? But how do you go about getting one organised and how do you give your family business the best chance of success? 1. Make a start – there’s no point in putting it off. Half the value of succession planning lies in the value of bringing all the family together to start an open dialogue about the future. 2. Invite everyone to be involved whether directly involved in the business or not – you might unearth perspectives you’d not thought of and family members with the drive to take the business forward. If you’re all heading in the same direction, the chance of succeeding is far higher. 3. Set out the business aims and objectives – you may already have a business plan, but everyone needs to have the same understanding of what the business aims to deliver. You’d be surprised how many people can’t agree on what the business objectives are! 4. Agree rules of engagement – it’s going to build resentment and friction if decisions are made on the hoof. Think about rules for family business obligations, how assets are managed, and how you share out dividends for example. 5. Consider all the options – we’d all love to think that our children want nothing more than to pick up the reins, but our vision for our career isn’t necessarily theirs. You may want to examine selling either on the open market or to the managers.
8. Give yourself time – succession planning can’t be done in a weekend. It takes time, often a year or two for more complex family businesses. Sometimes people have to reach an understanding over time, and they need to be allowed the breathing space to do this, without derailing the process. 9. See the process through – don’t park succession planning in the “too difficult” pile or just go through the motions. If you do it right, it can help different generations to understand each other’s viewpoint and expectations and adopt shared values to sit at the heart of the business. 10. Ask for professional help – whether that’s helping to facilitate meetings, prepare the succession plan or advise around financial and legal technical issues. Look for people who understand that planning is an emotional as well as a logical process when families are involved. It’s worth remembering that succession planning can’t happen in isolation and can have an impact on your recruitment, shareholder agreements, estate planning and land ownership for example. You will want to consider how best to transfer assets in a tax efficient manner and how best to protect your wealth for future generations. If you think you need help with succession planning, we’ve got experts available who can work as an extension of your family to provide impartial guidance with both short- and long-term elements of succession planning. Why not arrange to pop in and see us?
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Your trusted partner
Intertrust is a global leader in providing tech-enabled corporate, private wealth and fund solutions to clients operating and investing in the international business environment. The Company has more than 3,500 employees across 30 jurisdictions in Europe, the Americas, Asia Pacific and the Middle-East. Intertrust delivers high-quality, tailored services to its clients, with a view to building long-term relationships. The Company offers a pan-island service and works with global law firms and accountancy firms, multinational corporations, financial institutions, fund managers, high net worth individuals and family offices, wherever they may be located.
Regulated by the Jersey Financial Services Commission and the licensed by the Guernsey Financial Services Commission
PRIVATE WEALTH CORPORATE SERVICES FUND SERVICES REAL ESTATE CAPITAL MARKETS EMPLOYEE BENEFITS
intertrustgroup.com
Business
THE FUTURE IS ELECTRIC MAINTAINING THE RELIABILITY AND SECURITY OF GUERNSEY’S ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY AND LOW-COST IMPORTED ELECTRICITY WILL CONTINUE TO BE A KEY PRIORITY IN 2020, SAYS GUERNSEY ELECTRICITY CHIEF EXECUTIVE ALAN BATES Guernsey Electricity has been providing the island’s essential electricity needs for over a century, in fact since the reign of Queen Victoria in the late 1800s. In 2019, those essential services remain unchanged. Our strategy is to ensure Guernsey has reliable and affordable, low-carbon and renewable, imported electricity so we retain high levels of security of supply now and into the future. This year Guernsey will return to importing more than 90% of its electricity from sustainable, low-carbon and renewable sources through a new subsea cable which connects the island to France via Jersey. Following the failure and resultant reduction in capacity of the existing cable (named GJ1) in October 2018, we have relied on the island’s power station for our electricity needs. Guernsey Electricity has worked quickly to install a replacement and restore a reliable and sustainable electricity supply within 13 months of the 2018 failure. A project of this
magnitude would normally take between two and three years. The new cable not only reduces the island’s reliance on the power station and the use of fossil fuels such as diesel oil – with the resultant emissions and impact on the environment – it enables significant cost savings and affordability of electricity for islanders. It does not, however, provide security of supply when the connection is not available. Last year’s failure of GJ1 reinforces the absolute importance of securing a more secure, diverse and sustainable supply of electricity. Guernsey Electricity has been investigating options for a second link for a number of years. After considerable analysis of both financial and non-financial benefits we believe the optimum solution is a direct link with the French mainland and are working to obtain the necessary permissions and consents for installation in the mid-2020s.
The second connection provides stability of our electricity grid which allows for other, renewable sources of electricity to be evaluated and introduced. As renewables, such as solar power, by their nature, are intermittent, this second link offers an essential and secure source of supply. The generation of renewables, including community-based solar panel systems and on-island energy storage, will become an important part of the energy transition and in particular for creating a greater level of independence for the island. As fossil fuels are phased out gradually through the widespread introduction of electric vehicles and smarter, electrical heating systems, this makes for an exciting future with electricity at the heart of it. Guernsey Electricity’s strategic priorities and responsibilities are to ensure that the island's electricity infrastructure is prepared for these changes.
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Business
INTERTRUST EMBRACES TECHNOLOGY AS IT LOOKS TO THE FUTURE WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FORWARD TO IN 2020? Jacob: Next year we’re looking to continue to build a better company for clients and employees alike. That means a company that uses technology to its best effect and marries that with spending more time with our clients to understand what they want. Marie: The technology that we’ve invested in is starting to change the way we work so I’m excited to see how that’s going to continue to evolve in 2020 and beyond. We want business partners on the islands and further afield to recognise that our people offer so much more, such as truly bespoke private wealth, fund and corporate services. HOW CENTRAL IS TECHNOLOGY AT INTERTRUST? Marie: It’s absolutely crucial to everything that we do. We realise that we can offer more nimble and creative solutions to our clients and technology is going to enable us to do that. It is fundamental to our adaptation to the future business environment and connects us to our clients and colleagues around the world. Jacob: The finance industry has moved very little in the last ten years and now there’s a chance for a progressive company like Intertrust to stand up and say, loudly and proudly, that we have an ambition to be a business that services its clients more efficiently through technology. WHY DID INTERTRUST ACQUIRE VITEOS? Marie: We’ve worked with Shankar and the team at Viteos for a long time, so we knew that we were getting a quality provider of a quality solution. Working together enables us to overhaul our technological offering and it enables Viteos to expand its knowledge of our other service lines like private wealth and corporate services. The unified company will have a greater global presence than ever before, too. 112
En Voyage | Aurigny’s Magazine
Intertrust, the global corporate, fund and private wealth solutions provider, has placed technology at the heart of its business model as it forges into the future. Central to this ambition is the recent acquisition of Viteos, a provider of leading-edge technology solutions for US firms. Here, Intertrust’s Managing Directors in Guernsey and Jersey, Marie McNeela and Jacob Smed, discuss how the Channel Islands fit into the firm’s technological vision and Shankar Iyer, founder of Viteos and now Intertrust’s Chief Solutions Officer, outlines how the latest innovations will benefit Intertrust clients.
Jacob: The acquisition of Viteos will ultimately make our employees more effective and efficient, which in turn benefits our clients. It makes us an interesting place to work where you can learn new skills and dedicate yourself to your development and client services. Not many financial services firms can offer that level of time and autonomy. Shankar: In our initial discussions with Intertrust one of the things that kept coming up was the importance of timely filing and regulatory reporting. In the North American market regulatory reporting has become an important aspect of fund services and of course that’s also true for financial services around the world. Typically, businesses would engage their existing funds services provider but we changed the paradigm as firms started to approach us, as a third party, because of our platform. Intertrust wanted that consistent, quality approach across its service lines and that was one of the reasons the merger made so much sense. WHAT DOES VITEOS DO? Shankar: When we first developed Viteos we set out to view the operational side of funds administration through a technological lens. We removed as many manual operations as possible to increase efficiency and this means that day-to-day tasks like reporting to clients, calculating returns, the middle-office function and working out net asset value are all going to be technologically driven. Viteos automates workloads, frees up employee time to do more review and control functions and is a great value to clients who will receive information about their structure, entities and investments in a more timely and accurate fashion. Marie: One of the really exciting things about Viteos is how it will enable us to service our clients when they’re ‘on the go’, through the client interface. Client service has changed as they are more mobile and expect to receive responses and information almost instantly and their provider needs to be able to meet their demands
A D V E R T O R I A L
Business
L-R: JACOB SMED, INTERTRUST MANAGING DIRECTOR IN JERSEY, MARIE MCNEELA, INTERTRUST MANAGING DIRECTOR IN GUERNSEY, AND SHANKAR IYER, FOUNDER OF VITEOS AND NOW INTERTRUST’S CHIEF SOLUTIONS OFFICER.
easily and quickly. Viteos is certain to help us achieve that through its bespoke reporting and client interface. HOW WILL VITEOS ALLOW INTERTRUST TO STAND OUT IN THE ISLANDS AND AROUND THE WORLD? Jacob: The acquisition sends a clear signal that technology is a central part of Intertrust’s vision. The senior leadership team here has put being a techenabled company on the agenda and that’s how we’re all being encouraged to think and talk about Intertrust. We have a change mindset and that is going to become a differentiator in the market for us. Marie: Something that’s high on the global agenda is the importance of compliance and regulatory reporting. The automation offered by Viteos also provides greater risk mitigation for Intertrust worldwide. The Channel Islands are at the forefront of international regulatory standards and Viteos will help our team to continue to meet these high standards. Shankar: Everyone in financial services knows the Channel Islands’ reputation for complying with regulations and meeting transparency standards. However, these things are only becoming more rigid, wide-reaching and time intensive and reporting therefore absolutely has to be accurate. Automated inputting of information and production of reports will minimise the risks inherent in manual inputting – which is great for Intertrust in the islands and globally. HOW WILL INTERTRUST’S PEOPLE BENEFIT FROM THE FIRM’S TECH-ENABLED APPROACH? Jacob: Both the Jersey and Guernsey governments have made it clear that they see their future economies being digitally driven and that they are ready for change. We concur with that view and want to enable our employees with the digital skills that they’ll need to thrive in economies that could look very different in just a few years’ time.
Marie: Having a digitally savvy workforce is a priority for us and that means giving them access to the right training and support. We already offer all internal training courses online for employees and there are exciting opportunities to exchange ideas with colleagues around the world. Through the acquisition we have gained over 700 colleagues in the Viteos centres of excellence in India, so we can add that to the list of possibilities our employees have for secondments and knowledge sharing. ARE YOU POSITIVE ABOUT THE FUTURE FOR INTERTRUST IN THE CHANNEL ISLANDS? Marie: Absolutely. Our focus on tech is really going to revolutionise the way we work and the way we service our clients. Viteos will enable us to ask our clients what they want and meet that need in a smarter, more comprehensive way than ever before – and that’s hugely exciting. Jacob: We already have an excellent workforce and our technological advances represent our next evolution and will enable our employees to put even more focus on client service, which is why many of them got into this industry in the first place. If you would like any further information on the above or any of the services provided by Intertrust, please contact: Marie McNeela, Managing Director, Intertrust Guernsey T: 01481 211275 marie.mcneela@intertrustgroup.com Jacob Smed, Managing Director, Intertrust Jersey T: 01534 504300 Jacob.Smed@intertrustgroup.com Information correct as of print date Oct 2019. For disclaimer and legal messages, please visit the Intertrust Group website – intertrustgroup.com/legalnotice
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HIGH-FLYING APPOINTMENTS
Business
COLLAS CRILL APPOINTS TWO COMMUNICATIONS SPECIALISTS Collas Crill has appointed two Communications Managers to support the growing firm's strategy both internally and externally. Kim Halliwell joins as Group Communications Manager, based in Guernsey, and will work closely with the Strategy Board and Management Committee to inform and engage colleagues in the firm's strategy, ambition and success. She is also responsible for developing Collas Crill's employer brand and for developing the firm's approach to communication at a group level.
Gillian Mabbett
RED CARNATION HOTEL COLLECTION APPOINTS NEW DIRECTOR OF SALES The Red Carnation Hotel Collection has appointed Gillian Mabbett as its new Director of Sales, based in Guernsey. Gillian will be responsible for driving corporate and leisure business from the Channel Islands and Isle of Man to The Duke of Richmond and The Old Government House hotels in Guernsey; The Rubens at the Palace in London; Summer Lodge in Dorset; and The Oyster Box, The Twelve Apostles and Bushmans Kloof in South Africa.
En Voyage | Aurigny’s Magazine
Group Managing Partner Jason Romer said: ‘It's an exciting time to be part of Collas Crill as we embark on the next phase of the firm's growth strategy. We recognise that first-class communication will be key to our plans and I'm delighted to welcome Kim and Aimee to the firm to provide the right level of focus and expertise in this area. Both Kim and Aimee bring a huge amount of experience in their fields and will work closely together to align internal and external communications, support the firm's ambitious growth strategy, and protect and promote our brand.'
Gillian brings more than 20 years of business development experience to her new role, having previously worked for ITV as Business Manager for the Channel Islands. 'I am very excited to take on the role of Director of Sales at the Red Carnation Hotel Collection and look forward to working with new colleagues and clients,' said Gillian. 'I have long admired the Collection’s ethos and product, and am delighted to now be part of the team. The hotels that I will be working with in the Channel Islands and further afield are all exceptional properties, which will make my job much easier.' Andrew Chantrell, General Manager of the Old Government House Hotel, said, 'We are delighted to welcome Gillian to the Red Carnation Collection. Her experience will be a real asset to the company as we look to develop our business in the Channel Islands and around the world. We pride ourselves on our customer service and attention to detail, and we know that Gillian will be an important part of our team.'
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PR and Communications Manager Aimee Young, based in Jersey, will lead on the firm's external brand and strategy within the Business Development and Marketing department, led by director Iain Beresford.
L-R: Paul McCormick, Simone Renouf, Jean-Pierre Payne, Louise Robinson
FOUR NEW APPOINTMENTS FOR GOWER FINANCIAL SERVICES Gower Financial Services has expanded and strengthened its team with four new appointments. Paul McCormick has joined the established team of Financial Advisers and will provide advice to Guernsey and Alderney-based clients on investments, pensions and life insurance whilst Jean-Pierre Payne joins the team as a trainee Financial Adviser and is currently studying towards the Chartered Insurance Institute (CII) Diploma in Financial Planning. The support team is strengthened by the appointment of Simone Renouf and Louise Robinson. Simone joins the Investment Management team and Louise has joined the Employee Benefits team as an administrator. Director Tim Cross said, 'I’m delighted to welcome Paul, Jean-Pierre, Simone and Louise to the Gower team. Their experience and enthusiasm will strengthen our company, allowing us to continue to provide excellent service to new and existing clients across the Bailiwick'.
Business
NEW GLOBAL MANAGING PARTNER AT BEDELL CRISTIN Offshore law firm Bedell Cristin has appointed Tim Pearce as its Global Managing Partner, succeeding David Cadin. Tim joined the firm in 2003 and is recognised Tim Pearce as a leader in his field by the main legal directories. Since joining the firm, he has played a key role in leading some of Bedell Cristin’s highest-profile corporate finance and real estate finance transactions and has been instrumental in growing the corporate team globally. Tim’s appointment follows three years of growth, change and development at Bedell Cristin, following the separation from trust company Ocorian. This was led by David Cadin, who retains his position as Jersey Managing Partner. Tim said, 'I’m looking forward to taking on this role and continuing the great work David has delivered over the past three years. The firm has gone from strength to strength under his leadership, and a strong client service and continuous improvement culture has been embedded at Bedell Cristin's core. I aim to continue the progress David has made in establishing ourselves as a truly independent offshore law firm that clients repeatedly choose to work with.' David Cadin added: 'I’ve thoroughly enjoyed the last three years, and it’s gratifying to see the many improvements we’ve made as a firm. Tim and I will work closely to ensure his transition to Global Managing Partner is seamless, and I have no doubt he will continue to impress with his expertise and commercial outlook to grow Bedell Cristin even further. '
INTERTRUST APPOINTS HR DIRECTOR IN JERSEY Intertrust has appointed Candice Tabb as HR Director in Jersey. She will develop and implement the people strategy for the 354 Jersey-based employees of the global provider of techenabled corporate and fund solutions. She will be responsible for defining the employee experience as well as attracting, retaining and developing talent and introducing new procedures and initiatives to enhance the working environment. Of her appointment Candice said: 'It’s an exciting time to be joining Intertrust. There’s a strong focus on driving the business forward and making changes that matter for our clients and our employees.' Jacob Smed, Managing Director at Intertrust Jersey, said: 'We’re pleased to welcome Candice to our team to manage the needs of our Jersey employees. Our continued growth, exemplified by the acquisition of tech-enabled funds solutions provider Viteos, is driven by our exceptional people and we’re looking forward to Candice enhancing our focus on their welfare and professional environment. Candice will ensure our employees’ health and wellbeing remains of the upmost importance and empower us to continue to retain and attract the best talent on the island.'
Kevin Boscher
RAVENSCROFT APPOINTS ITS FIRST CHIEF INVESTMENT OFFICER Kevin Boscher has been appointed as Ravenscroft’s Chief Investment Officer. The role has been created in response to the investment services company’s recent growth which has seen acquisitions, expansion to new jurisdictions and assets under administration reaching £7.36bn. Mark Bousfield, Group Managing Director, said, ‘This is a fantastic appointment for Ravenscroft. Having worked in the investment industry for more than 35 years, Kevin’s reputation precedes him and he will be instrumental in ensuring that as Ravenscroft continues to expand, our clients’ investment expectations are met and that we provide consistent, high quality, information, research and advice,' Ravenscroft, which has offices in Guernsey, Jersey and the UK, opened an office in Monaco earlier this year and now offers execution-only trading, advisory investment services, discretionary investment management, market making, corporate finance services, cash management and the dealing in and storage of gold, silver, platinum and palladium via BullionRock. Its recent interim results show that assets under administration had increased 57% year on year, revenue had grown by 39% to £14.04m and trading profit had increased by 99%. ‘The growth and expansion has been considerable in a short amount of time which is testament to the team we have, the vision and support of the board and most importantly the loyalty of our clients. We are looking at additional jurisdictions as well as acquisitions to expand our UK footprint so one of Kevin’s focuses will be to integrate our investment processes to ensure, from a group perspective, that we use our resources, wherever they are, as effectively as possible, and, from a client’s perspective, that they understand all of our offerings and receive the best service we can deliver.’ Kevin, who regularly appears as an industry commentator on CNBC, said moving to Ravenscroft was an exciting challenge. ‘I am hoping that the experiences that I have learned and the skills that I have gained through my many years in the investment industry will both complement and add to an already excellent investment process and offering,’ he said. ‘There is so much that I want to do immediately and I’m sure that my new colleagues already have a long list for me, so time management and prioritising will be important. Ravenscroft is going to be a different environment for me but it’s a change that I relish and look forward to.’
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Business
BLACK VANILLA WELCOMES TWO NEW GRADUATES TO ITS GROWING TEAM Black Vanilla has strengthened its team with two new appointments; graduates Katie Leach and Krista Osborne join the agency as Junior PR Executive and Social Media and Events Assistant respectively. The appointments come as the agency continues to expand through organic growth and a number of new business wins. Katie has recently returned to Guernsey after graduating from the University of Winchester with a degree in Media, Communications and Journalism. During her time at university she developed a keen interest in PR, gaining invaluable industry experience through a work placement in broadcast journalism.
L-R: Jordan Egerton, Bradley Le Clercq, Claire Macready, Allam Zia and Joe Smith
BDO GREENLIGHT BRINGS NEW CONSULTANTS ON BOARD BDO Greenlight have appointed four new consultants to their team, signalling their growth and adding new expertise to their offering as change management specialists. The new consultants - Claire Macready, Joe Smith, Jordan Egerton and Bradley Le Clercq - bring with them a breadth of experience to meet the expectations and needs of clients in a growing sector of Jersey’s business landscape. BDO Greenlight Director Allam Zia said that the skills and experience brought by each of the new consultants would enhance the services that the company was able to offer its clients. 'We are continually evolving to meet the needs of the marketplace and we’re delighted to be boosting our team with these appointments. Change is the new normal and most organisations will experience it to some level. We offer capacity, capability and advice from people who understand your industry and challenges and can help you manage transitions smoothly. Claire joins the BDO Greenlight team from the Government of Jersey’s Health & Community Services department whilst Joe, a qualified project manager and experienced business analyst, has worked in change management in the offshore finance industry since 2012. Jordan is returning to Jersey following time working in London where he gained experience working for a multinational corporation which manages complex assets and infrastructure. Graduate Consultant Bradley Le Clercq joins BDO Greenlight full-time having interned with the company while studying at Highlands College for his degree from the University of Plymouth in business and management. Allam said: 'We’re particularly pleased to be welcoming Bradley on a full-time contract. BDO Greenlight is keen to invest in local talent and give people the opportunity to experience the workplace while they are studying, giving them the chance to grow and develop.'
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Krista also joins the agency with a degree in History and Philosophy from Sussex University. Her role will see her further develop Black Vanilla’s social media and event management services. Her role will see her working alongside the Black Vanilla team to develop creative campaigns and support them with their clients’ social media accounts. Nichole Culverwell, Managing Director of Black Vanilla, said: ‘We are delighted to welcome two fantastic local graduates to the agency and look forward to helping them to develop their skills. Their academic backgrounds, extensive work experience and enthusiasm for our industry will help us drive Black Vanilla forward during this period of growth.’
PROMOTION AT SAFFERY CHAMPNESS REGISTERED FIDUCIARIES Saffery Champness Registered Fiduciaries has promoted Samantha Holden to Trust Manager of its specialist Middle East family office team. Samantha began her career in the finance industry in 2007. She joined Saffery Champness in 2011 as a trust administrator and was promoted to Assistant Manager in 2017.
Samantha Holden
In her new role Samantha manages a team of nine who administer the structures and assets of an ultra-high net worth Middle East family. She also works closely with the family’s trusted advisers and Family Office on all matters, together with various legal, tax and banking intermediaries. Lisa Vizia, Director at Saffery Champness, said 'Over the years Samantha has gained extensive experience of our client and its complex structures, as well as building relationships with the network of trusted advisers involved with the family. This puts her in the perfect position to manage the team, and I am delighted we promoted her to her new role.'
Business
FURTHER GROWTH AT TRUST CORPORATION INTERNATIONAL
L-R: Barbara McDonald, Liz Nursey and Jade Fellowes
TWO SENIOR APPOINTMENTS AT PRAXISIFM IN JERSEY PraxisIFM has strengthened the senior management team in its Jersey Trust office with the appointment of Barbara McDonald as Operations Director and Jade Fellowes as Senior Manager. Barbara is responsible for overseeing the entire day-today operations of the company including internal audit, data protection and operational systems. Liz Nursey, Director of PraxisIFM Trust in Jersey, said: ‘We are pleased to have Barbara join us as she brings a unique view of both client-facing and support services issues and has considerable experience in both areas. Attracting someone with her breadth of experience in managing complex projects and implementing change as we invest in technology will be invaluable to PraxisIFM as we move forward.’ Jade has been appointed to head up one of the private client teams and also assist with new business. She has more than 10 years’ experience specialising in corporate restructuring, transaction management and real estate for a broad range of clients and structures. Welcoming the two, Richard Kearsey, Managing Director of PraxisIFM Trust in Jersey, said: ‘Barbara and Jade are a great fit for the PraxisIFM Group. There is no doubt that as industry experts they strengthen our team, and with their drive and passion will ensure we continue to provide a high quality service to our clients worldwide.’
THREE NEW APPOINTMENTS FOR DELOITTE GUERNSEY Deloitte Guernsey has boosted its tax team with three new appointments. Tax Manager Alison Hill and Assistant Manager Monique De Abreu have recently joined the firm, whilst Marielle Fritsch moves from Deloitte’s audit department into the tax team as a Manager. Alison joins the private client tax group bringing a wealth of experience in global employer services, UK tax matters and Guernsey taxation whilst Monique has joined the Guernsey office from South Africa. She is a business management postgraduate with a law degree and has a masters qualification in tax. Within her new role as Tax Manager, Marielle will be involved in the corporate tax team dealing with a wide range of topics such as substance compliance, income tax computations and tax audits. Deloitte Tax Partner Joanna Huxtable said, ‘Continued growth within our Channel Islands tax team in trusts advisory and international corporate tax has created the opportunity for Alison and Monique to join Deloitte and for Marielle to pursue her career in a new direction. I am delighted to welcome them.'
Trust Corporation International has made two appointments in its client administration team. Emile Thompson joins in the role of Trust Officer and Tim Paluch as Client Accountant. 'From my interview at Trust Corporation I could see how they take pride and care in their work and the level of client service,' said Emile. 'The company has a real family feel so it’s wonderful to be a part of such a high-calibre team.' Tim said: 'I am looking forward to being a part of a dynamic company as it looks to continue its growth in an ever-changing marketplace. There is a strong emphasis on professionalism and producing highquality work here at Trust Corporation and that creates a great working environment.' Mort Mirghavameddin, Chief Executive of Trust Corporation International, said: 'It’s an exciting time at Trust Corporation International as we continue to grow as part of our new strategic plans, with the additions of Tim and Emile we have surpassed 50 employees which is a milestone in itself. We are demonstrating the commitment Trust Corporation has to improving our offering to clients. Tim and Emile are great additions to our client administration team and we welcome them both.'
L-R: Stephanie Mockett, Danni King and Tom Bonsall
GUERNSEY HOUSING ASSOCIATION STRENGTHENS HOUSING MANAGEMENT TEAM The Guernsey Housing Association (GHA) has appointed three assistant housing officers to strengthen its day-today management of affordable housing across the island. Danni King, Stephanie Mockett and Tom Bonsall joined the GHA to oversee a number of developments and be the main point of contact for tenants and working closely with their allocated housing officer. Danni joined the GHA with previous experience as a dispatcher at Guernsey Airport and Tom applied for the role after speaking to the GHA team at the Guernsey College of Further Education’s Careers Fair for school leavers in June. Stephanie returned to the island earlier this year after living and working in the UK gaining experience in a customer-facing role. Chief Executive Officer Steve Williams said, 'The needs of our residents are our top priority and these three new hires will strengthen the relationships between our team and our tenants and partial owners. We have appointed three exceptional young people who are keen to develop careers that can be extremely rewarding as they help islanders to find suitable housing opportunities. The GHA is investing in training them to progress into our housing management team to further strengthen our customer service offering. Danni, Steph and Tom have transitioned into their roles seamlessly and all bring with them a wealth of skills which we aim to nurture and develop as they progress.'
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talks... THE MARKETING CHANNEL WITH 4 BILLION USERS YOU PROBABLY AREN’T USING Instant messenger mobile apps are used by nearly 4 billion people, but utilised as a marketing channel by only a fraction of businesses. NOW THAT’S AN OPPORTUNITY You probably used one of these apps in the last hour, letting a family member, friend or colleague know you are at the airport or about to board your plane. Messenger apps - whether that’s WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger or WeChat - have become part of our daily lives. Over 150 billion messages are sent on these platforms every day. In fact, messaging app usage actually surpassed social networks already in 2015.
History tells us that in business, companies leverage and adapt to the communication channels that consumers are already using heavily. Out of letters came direct mail; the invention of the phone saw the rise in telemarketing. When email arrived, so did email marketing. The new direct communication channel of today is unquestionably messenger. As a result, it is well-placed to become the world’s most significant marketing channel in the next 5-7 years. Early adopters will win, potentially in a significant fashion. I have little doubt that message volume will overtake email. Here’s why: • Messenger has a 4x higher open rate* • Messenger has an 8x-12.5x higher click-through rate* • Messenger generates 1.6x more revenue* *stats from ManyChat, MailChimp & Recart
However, with permission comes a higher set of expectations from your customers. Messaging is a private and personalised experience. Any strategy businesses implement should take this into account. Your customers need a reason to open a conversation with you, or opt in to messenger communication.
WHY HAS BUSINESS BEEN SLOW TO INTERACT WITH CUSTOMERS THIS WAY? Up till now, messaging has predominantly been a customer service channel. It’s only recently that the platforms widely used in the western world for messaging have been opened to business from a marketing perspective. The WhatsApp API (an external programming interface) for example, was only launched in August 2018. This advance in both access and technology opens a host of opportunities for marketers to engage customers.
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One of several ways you can deliver a personalised experience is through Chatbots. Bots help you interact with your customers 24/7 without the need for constant human input. Whether you want to deliver a more personalised sales experience, or simply provide answers for common questions instantly and easily, there are plenty of ways that chatbots can help your business. For example: THEY CAN DELIVER RELEVANT CONTENT Do you send out a regular newsletter, or produce regular news and blog content? As well as giving users the option to subscribe to you by email, you can give them the opportunity to subscribe to you via messenger.
THEY HELP FACILITATE DISCOVERY If you have a large catalogue (whether that be of products, jobs, property, services, activities or more) you can use Chatbots to help users find the results that are most relevant to them. Messenger can become like a personal shopper asking the user a series of questions to then deliver them the results most relevant to their preferences. We’ve found this is often a faster and higher converting experience than users who browse a website or app catalogue. THEY KEEP YOUR CUSTOMERS INFORMED Customers like to be kept up-to-date - whether that’s information on when their parcel was shipped, the progress of an application or confirmation of a transaction. Consider giving customers the choice to receive these notifications via messenger, not just via email. THEY PROVIDE VALUE ADDED SERVICES Is there a value added service you can bolt on to your offering through the use of Chatbots? As this is an airline magazine, I’ll give you an airline example: KLM conducted research and found that it’s not just their customers who want to stay informed about travel information, but also family and friends. To answer the need, they launched Family Updates through WhatsApp. This service keeps those who need and want to know automatically informed about the status of your flight. Customer satisfaction increased as a direct consequence of this personalised and convenient experience.
OVER 150 BILLION MESSAGES ARE SENT ON THESE PLATFORMS EVERYDAY IT’S TIME TO CONSIDER MESSENGER MARKETING Now is the time to investigate how messenger marketing can work for your business. You can be sure your competitors are thinking about it. With 4 billion potential customers using these apps each day, messenger is the future of customer communications and audience engagement. Maximise this opportunity with personal, tailored content and intelligent, programmed bots. TPA is one of the Channel Islands' leading marketing communications agencies working with clients such as HSBC, Airtel-Vodafone and Visit Guernsey. As TPA's Business Director, Ben helps clients capitalise on the latest digital marketing thinking to enhance business performance and growth. tpagency.com
THEY ALLOW CUSTOMERS TO TRANSACT WITH YOU If you sell online, you can help customers find the products they want and complete the sale by taking payment entirely within Facebook Messenger. Customers will see the total cost followed by, their contact, shipping, and payment information pulled automatically from the Messenger profile. They can then complete purchases within the Messenger app using either PayPal or Stripe.
BEN INDER, BUSINESS DIRECTOR AT TPA
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GUERNSEY VOLLEYBALL In Guernsey there are opportunities, all year round, for players of all ages and abilities to play volleyball, whether socially or at a competitive standard. En Voyage wanted to find out more. Volleyball is played by an estimated 800 million people worldwide. It’s one of the most popular sports in Brazil, has a huge following in China and Russia, and is played and watched at a professional level throughout Europe. In Britain, however, it only ranks as the 29th most popular sport, according to The Telegraph. But a shift is taking place at a grassroots level, as popularity for the sport is gaining momentum. While Guernsey doesn’t exactly enjoy the weather of Rio, one of volleyball’s greatest assets is its versatility. You can get a game going almost anywhere - the park, the beach or even in water. All you need is a net, a ball, and a few mates.
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The Guernsey Volleyball Association (GVA) was formed in 1976 to coincide with the opening of Beau Sejour Leisure Centre. Its mission is simple: to promote and encourage the game of volleyball in every way possible.
few teams that do training sessions. There is a men’s, ladies’, mixed 1 and mixed 2 division with the league set up, which commenced in January. There’s also an SLP (Steve Le Poidevin) tournament which goes up until Christmas.’
Last season, it had around 150 registered players across its men’s, ladies’ and mixed league teams, in addition to sitting volleyball and a junior division.
According to GVA media liaison Jake Elmy, beginners looking to enjoy the social side of the sport would be a good fit for the mixed 2 division.
‘Anybody can take part in volleyball, no matter what body type you have, as there are multiple positions you can play. Volleyball is more of a skilful and technical game,’ said GVA secretary Jen Lindfield.
‘The men’s and ladies’ leagues are brilliant for all abilities because beginners can learn a lot from more experienced players, and then the experienced players get to play against other better players at the same time. The mixed division 1 is good for people who want to play at a more competitive level,’ he said.
‘For any beginners who would like to come and try out, there are a
INFO... ALL IMAGES ©GUERNSEY VOLLEYBALL
For experienced players, there are opportunities to not only compete in an annual inter-insular against the Jersey men's and women’s teams, but the chance to compete in the UK. Dedicated training is paying off too, with recent victories for the men’s B team at this year’s inter-insular, and the women’s team winning the Hampshire Grand Prix series, despite it being their debut appearance.
THE BENEFITS OF VOLLEYBALL INCLUDE AN AMAZING AEROBIC WORKOUT. PLUS, IT ENCOURAGES YOU TO THINK TACTFULLY, GIVING YOUR MIND A WORKOUT TOO. SITTING VOLLEYBALL IS ALSO A FAST AND EXCITING SPORT, AND IT’S INCLUSIVE. This year, the GVA sent a beach volleyball team to the Island Games in Gibraltar for the first time ever, and while they didn’t bring home any medals, the GVA has every right to celebrate, having enjoyed its most popular beach volleyball season to date.
During the summer, the GVA organised open beach volleyball sessions, weather dependent, on Monday evenings at Port Soif beach. Around 45 players took part this year. ‘It made for a really good tournament and we also crowned a King and Queen of the beach at the end of it all,’ said Jake. However, despite its growing popularity, neither volleyball nor beach volleyball will be included in the 2021 Guernsey Island Games. It’s a bit of the blow for the GVA, especially when it comes to showcasing the sport to younger players, but it just means that the organisation is looking further afield for opportunities to play. ‘Sadly, volleyball has been omitted, so we are currently looking for other options to play abroad,’ said Jen, who hopes that a new development programme for the junior team will encourage more young people to get involved. ‘There are roughly eight juniors playing volleyball at the moment, but it is a brilliant way to get into the sport and playing Jersey at the end of the season is the main target for the juniors to look forward to,’ she said.
For more information about getting involved in the Guernsey volleyball scene, junior team and beach volleyball, contact the Guernsey Volleyball Association on gvasecretary@hotmail.com. To find out more about sitting volleyball, email gvasitting@hotmail.co.uk.
The benefits of volleyball include an amazing aerobic workout. Plus, it encourages you to think tactfully, giving your mind a workout too. Sitting volleyball is also a fast and exciting sport, and it’s inclusive. Very similar to traditional volleyball, it is played on a smaller court over a lower net. The only requirements are that you can sit unaided on the floor, move yourself around and can track a moving ball through the air. ‘There are currently about 10 people who play sitting volleyball, but it is a brilliant alternative to standing volleyball, with opportunities to go away to places such as Copenhagen with the island team,’ said Jen. The GVA is hoping to build on its growing success and its future has never looked brighter. With all abilities and age welcome, why not give it a try? Assume ready position.
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GYM
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If you’re bored with the gym and missing the outdoors there are a host of activities to take part in during the winter – for all ages. Whether you want to stay warm and dry or you’re willing to tackle the elements there’s something for everyone – and of all abilities. From workouts in the park for new mums and ski ready classes and indoor fun for the little ones to running the island’s roads or cross-country, Guernsey has it all come rain or shine. PUSHY MUMS BUGGY WORKOUT Pushy Mums Buggy Workout is Guernsey’s only outdoor exercise class designed for mums and babies. Mums can walk, talk, and work out in the fresh air without the worry of childcare. Classes take place in Saumarez Park on Monday and Wednesday mornings, from 11am to 12pm on Mondays and 10am to 11am on Wednesdays. Participants need to have had their six-week check and the allclear to exercise. The class uses a mixture of power walking, stretching, toning, strength and cardio work all designed safely for the post-natal body. There is every chance to work at your own pace so fitness (or lack of) is not an issue.
Sessions take place every Monday and Thursday. Times are as follows; 9.15am to 10am, 10.15am to 11am and 11.15am to 12pm, all pre-school aged children. Children must be accompanied by an adult and each session costs £3 per child. You can book classes online at beausejour.gg or call 01481 747200.
GUERNSEY PARKRUN IS A WEEKLY FREE 5KM TIMED RUN ON SATURDAYS FROM 9AM. THE COURSE STARTS AT PEMBROKE BAY AND IS ENTIRELY ORGANISED BY VOLUNTEERS.
On top of that, the mums often find that they act as a support network for each other, sharing their experiences of the highs and lows of motherhood with each other. Classes take place all year round, rain or shine.
RUN GUERNSEY
For more information visit facebook.com/ pushymumsgsy.
The cross-country league includes a series of races, which spans the winter months, with athletes competing in divisions by ability giving all runners, no matter their experience or level, something to aim for.
SNOWFIT Improve your leg strength, stamina and flexibility in this workout during the winter months at Beau Sejour Leisure Centre. The regular fitness timetable is complemented by additional seasonal classes like these to prepare you for skiing in the winter or enjoying the outdoors during the summer. If you’re looking to entertain your little ones during the colder months, Kiddy Kapers offers fun activities where children play on trampolines, beams, tunnels, and slides. This class helps to develop children’s handeye coordination, balance and confidence in a structured manner.
If you’re up for it, there’s an extensive race programme throughout the year offering races for all athletes of all standards on a variety of terrain and in all weather.
The age-graded road races take place in winter and the results are expressed in agegraded percentages allowing all athletes to compete for the overall honours. Guernsey Parkrun is a weekly free 5km timed run on Saturdays from 9am. The course starts at Pembroke Bay and is entirely organised by volunteers. For more information visit runguernsey. com/running-events, guernseyathletics.org. gg/events, or parkrun.org.uk/guernsey
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©PUSHY MUMS
PUSHY MUMS BUGGY WORKOUT IS GUERNSEY’S ONLY OUTDOOR EXERCISE CLASS DESIGNED FOR MUMS AND BABIES.
WALKING
B CREATIVE
If you’d prefer to take it a little slower this winter, Tasty Walks, by Visit Guernsey, is a series of 20 self-guided walks that make the most of the very best the island has to offer - its stunning scenery and fabulous food – during the colder months.
Dance your way to spring with B Creative, which offers a range of dance and fitness classes year-round. Authentic street classes encourage youngsters, teens, and adults to get a feel for various styles of dance, have fun and keep fit and healthy at the same time. B Creative Street Dance combines the basics of hip hop, locking, popping, breaking, house and commercial styles. B Creative also offers Zumba and Strong by Zumba classes, the latest high-intensity interval training workout.
Whether it's the rugged south coast cliff paths, the long sweeping bays of the west or uncovering the historic past of the island's capital, the island has much to offer in just 25 square miles. You can choose from one, one-and-half, two, and two-and-a-half hour walks as well as easy, moderate and hard levels. Walks include ‘a wildlife haven, a witch’s haunt and a tiny chapel,’ ‘fishing ports, prehistoric tombs, and sweeping common land,’ and ‘nature’s pool and smugglers hideout.’
For more information visit bcreative-dance.co.uk, facebook.com/bcreativedance or call Brandi on 07839 254115.
For more information visit visitguernsey.com/see-anddo/walking-routes. ©VISITGUERNSEY
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Stunning! amazing exhibition Remarkable V I S I TO R CO M M E N TS
COMMUNITY SPIRIT
Community
BUTTERFIELD REINFORCES ITS COMMITMENT TO THE ENVIRONMENT WITH E-BIKE INITIATIVE To reduce its impact on the local environment, Butterfield has introduced an electric bike initiative as an alternative and eco-friendly transport option for employees. Butterfield employees have access to six e-bikes which they can use to travel between the Bank’s two business locations in St Peter Port. Following the recent acquisition of ABN AMRO (Channel Islands) Limited, Butterfield now has operations in Regency Court on Glategny Esplanade and Martello Court on Rue de Vega. The 15-minute walk between the two is reduced to a mere few minutes by e-bike. Richard Saunders, Managing WE HAVE INTRODUCED Director Channel Islands and UK at Butterfield Bank (Guernsey) THE E-BIKES TO Limited, said: ‘At Butterfield, we ENCOURAGE are committed to protecting the environment in the communities we EMPLOYEES TO MAKE call home. We have introduced the MORE ECO-FRIENDLY e-bikes to encourage employees TRANSPORTATION to make more eco-friendly DECISIONS transportation decisions, as well as participate in some physical activity during the working day. I hope that some of them will consider getting their own e-bikes as personal transport which may in turn lead to further community benefits from both an emissions and parking perspective.’ Butterfield recently received the silver Keep Guernsey Green Award having demonstrated its commitment to the environment by putting in place various initiatives which reduce the consumption of single-use plastic, encourage sustainable living, create energy conservation solutions and tackle the global plastic pollution problem.
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DELOITTE RENEWS SPONSORSHIP WITH THE GUERNSEY FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION Deloitte Guernsey will continue its ongoing sponsorship of the Guernsey Football Association (GFA) this season. The sponsorship helps to facilitate the Association’s work with the island’s schoolchildren and supports the annual Deloitte Corbet Cup and Corbet Shield. This season will see six teams compete in the Cup and nine teams in the Shield competition. David Becker, Partner at Deloitte, said, ‘Helping more young people enjoy sport has been a cause close to our hearts for a long time. The work that the GFA does in schools through the community programme has grown again this year, and we are proud to play a small part in making that happen.’
PINK LADIES SUNSET WALK RAISES IMPRESSIVE £60,000 This year’s Pink Ladies Sunset Walk raised an impressive £60,000 for the Pink Ladies charity. The money raised is £12,000 more than the last Sunset Walk, with donations having only recently stopped coming in. The walk took place on 29 June and saw around 2,000 ladies walk 10.5 miles from Grandes Rocques to St Peter Port or 3.5 miles, starting at Bordeaux. This year’s walk attracted not only locals but also visitors from the UK who made the journey to Guernsey specifically to take part. The funds from this year’s walk will be used for the ongoing support of early breast cancer diagnosis through the Pink Ladies’ partnership with the Department for Health & Social Care. The charity works with the team to identify ways they can assist in the purchase of specialised equipment. The Pink Ladies’ focus is on living with and beyond breast cancer. Through its partnership with other cancer charities and cancer experts, it plans to explore ways to support wellbeing through evidence-based initiatives such as mindfulness, coaching and psychological support.
With the continued support from marketing and digital agency TPA, the Pink Ladies has confirmed the next Sunset Walk will take place on 26 June 2021. Karen Leach from the Pink Ladies said; ‘We are incredibly grateful for the support our community shows for people affected by breast cancer through participation in the biannual Pink Ladies Sunset Coastal Walk. We’d also like to thank our sponsor TPA for helping us achieve such fantastic numbers this year and look forward to seeing our island coast pink in 2021!’ Tony Tostevin, TPA CEO, concluded: ‘We have thoroughly enjoyed working on this year’s Pink Ladies Sunset Walk and are so pleased with the amazing numbers raised. The Pink Ladies are an important local charity and we’re proud to support where we can we look forward to 2021.’ In addition to raising awareness of breast cancer and the importance of early detection, The Pink Ladies offer emotional, practical and financial support for women in Guernsey with breast cancer. For more information, visit pinkladies.org.gg.
Gary Roberts, Chief Executive Officer of the GFA, said, ‘As a charitable organisation, the longterm support of Deloitte has been invaluable for the GFA in enabling an expanded community delivery programme, which has not only introduced more children to the sport but assisted in promoting the benefits of a healthy and active lifestyle with young children.’
SMILES ON THE BUS World Smile Day saw public transport users receive a free journey courtesy of the Smile for Georgie Foundation and CT Plus. Passengers on bus route no. 41 found their £1 fee waived in favour of making their day a little brighter. Jenny Le Prevost, Georgie’s mother, said: ‘Public transport is a positive way in which we can be kind to our island, so enabling islanders to travel on the bus for free for the day is an act of kindness which Georgie would support. We’d like to thank CT Plus for their support in organising the logistics and for working with us to make this possible.’ Kevin Jackman from CT Plus said, ‘We’re thrilled to be involved. We hope the kind offer provided a great start to the day for our regular commuters and put a spring in the step of all those who used route 41.’ 127
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LOUVRE SIGNS DEAL WITH ST JACQUES VIKINGS Louvre has signed a three-season bronze sponsorship deal with one of Guernsey’s oldest rugby clubs, St Jacques Vikings, and will be entering into English Rugby’s Zoo Sports Shield League for the first time this season. The sponsorship will see Louvre become one of the primary shirt sponsors. The deal will financially support the club as it enters the new UK league and enable more development work to be undertaken with up-and-coming young talent.
FAIRTRADE BAG DESIGNS FOR THE CHANNEL ISLANDS CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETY Bags designed by young islanders which highlight the importance of Fairtrade products are now available to buy in the Channel Islands Cooperative Society’s stores. Kobi Nagy (10) and Ramsay Elson (13) are the Guernsey winners of the Society’s Design a Fairtrade Bag competition. Each will have their design printed on 250 bags which will be sold at the Grand Marché stores in St Martin and St Sampson. The competition was launched as part of the Society’s continued efforts to reduce single-use plastics across all its stores, while at the same time highlighting the importance of supporting Fairtrade. Mark Cox, the Society’s Chief Operating Officer, said: ‘As the largest supplier of Fairtrade goods in the Channel Islands, the Design a Fairtrade Bag competition is a perfect example of us working together with
ANNUAL GOLF DAY RAISES OVER £30,000 FOR AUTISM JERSEY Autism Jersey’s annual golf day, sponsored by JT, has once again broken its own record with £30,000 raised for the charity. The sell-out event saw 25 teams of golfers competing at La Moye Golf Club with the overall winners being the Dandara team of Martin Clancy, Adrian Huckson, Steve Herbert
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the local community to promote the importance of supporting Fairtrade. We are so pleased that so many young people entered this competition to show what supporting Fairtrade meant to them. ‘Both Ramsay’s and Kobi’s designs are fantastic and we can’t wait to see the bags in stores. This competition was a great opportunity for our younger generation to not only promote Fairtrade, but to help us reduce our impact on the environment by reducing the amount of plastic we use.’ There were two winners of the competition in Guernsey and two from Jersey. In both islands one winner was from a primary school and the other was a secondary school student. The four winners all received a goody bag of Fairtrade items, as well as having their designs made on to the bags. and Bob Wickings. The Morris and Grange team came a close second and Bedell Cristin third. The charity is currently fundraising to make a new multi-millionpound facility, which will become a home for the charity and provide a range of services to people with autism and their families, a reality. Nick Winsor, Chairman of Autism Jersey, said: ‘The amount raised is a huge boost for our long-term goal to provide a hub for our services. Each year, the popularity and success of the golf day grows, thanks in large part to the
Derek Baudains, Louvre Group CEO, said: ‘We are delighted to be forming this new partnership with St Jacques, especially as our very own Tom Creed has broken into the team in the last year. I’m looking forward to supporting the team in what I hope will be a very successful season. Rugby has many of the values we share in our corporate sphere so this sponsorship is a natural fit for Louvre.’ St Jacques Vikings Chairman Ian Hackeson said: ‘We are really pleased Louvre Group have agreed to become one of our primary shirt sponsors for the next three seasons. Louvre are big supporters of sports within Guernsey, and we really appreciate their commitment to our club. ‘Louvre’s vital financial support will help enable us to compete at our highest ever level this season, where we hope to continue our rapid development which has seen some great successes in the past three seasons.’ longstanding partnership with our corporate sponsor JT. We’d like to say a huge thank you to everyone who took part in the day.’ Daragh McDermott, Corporate Affairs Director at JT and a board member of Autism Jersey, said: ‘Thanks to everyone who brought their game with them and congratulations to Dandara for their victory. Once again, it was a really enjoyable day for a great cause and I’m delighted that the combination of a great sporting event and wellsupported auction have raised so much for this vital charity.’
C5 DEVELOP APP TO BOOST RECYCLING WITH HELP FROM BURSARY AND INTERN STUDENTS Technology solution provider C5 Alliance has developed a new app which has been designed by their four bursary students and a Discover Digital Intern to improve recycling rates in Guernsey. The app was the winning idea at the annual C5 Alliance Idea-athon in April, a competition which challenges teams of industry experts to find solutions to community problems. This year’s winning solution answered the statement: ‘How can we promote and increase the effectiveness of recycling on island?’ The winning idea, ‘In the Bag’, has been created and presented to a panel of experts. The students Katie Marquand, Jessica Salisbury, Mike Borman, Rufus Barnes and William Tiffin - spent six weeks creating the new app which
WETWHEELS CHARITY LOOKS TO EXPAND OFFERING TO GUERNSEY Wetwheels Jersey, a charity which gives disabled people the chance to go out onto the sea, is hoping to do more in Guernsey. ‘We have an excellent profile in Jersey and have established excellent relationships with charities catering for the disabled as well as a number of other organisations such as Holidays for Heroes and the Primary Care Mental Health Service, which includes people living with dementia. Every trip is a pleasure as you can see the enjoyment on everyone’s faces and the feedback we receive is overwhelming,’ said Wetwheels Operations Director Dina Cook. ‘What we want to do now is raise awareness in Guernsey so that we can offer the same opportunity to people here. We know there will be plenty of demand but sadly to make it happen, we do need sponsorship.’ Wetwheels hopes to come to Guernsey for short stays, as part of an outreach programme, so that it can run several trips a day over the course of three to four days. It has recently been to the island to take Paul Soper out with family friends who were visiting from Hungary.
aims to improve the efficiency of recycling in the island. ‘In the Bag’ helps islanders understand how to correctly dispose of their rubbish by simply scanning or searching for the item on a smartphone. The easyto-use app has been made to ensure everyone is able to use it and includes useful information, such as the correct bin night and information on all the waste sites in Guernsey. Charles Christian, Consultant at C5 Alliance, who led the project said: ‘The students have been great; they have all been very enthusiastic and made a good team. They worked very quickly and in the first two weeks had already built the basis of the app. We are excited to see how the project will develop in the future.‘
WAITROSE & PARTNERS LAUNCHES £10K FUND TO SUPPORT PROJECTS THAT PROTECT THE ENVIRONMENT Waitrose & Partners has launched a £10,000 grant fund to support projects that are helping to protect the local environment. Waitrose & Partners’ Environmental Focus Fund will award money to Channel Island projects that are working to protect the local environment, from reducing plastic and creating sustainable products to nurturing wildlife and nature. The projects can be diverse as long as they can demonstrate that they will benefit and tackle issues impacting Guernsey and Jersey’s environment. Applications were welcomed from local organisations including charities, community groups, academic bodies, social enterprises and schools across the following project areas:
Paul was a keen sailor until an accident three years ago left him paralysed from the neck down. The trip was organised by his PA Sandie White.
• Plastics in the community • Wildlife and nature • Education • Public behaviour change • Food, agriculture and farming
‘It’s absolutely fantastic that Paul can be included in an activity which he loved and also spend time at sea with people who are important to him. This is his second trip on Wetwheels as he went out earlier this summer when his daughter Leonie was visiting from Los Angeles and you could see in his eyes how much he had enjoyed it,’ Sandie said. ‘We have been talking about it to lots of people since and everyone is very interested. We can only hope that companies will come forward and support the charity.’
A panel of Waitrose Partners will review the submissions. The chosen projects will be announced in November. £2,500 will be donated to a Guernsey project, £2,500 to a Jersey project and £5,000 to a Channel Islands project.
Ravenscroft has supported the charity this summer and Katrina Bray, Marketing and PR Executive said the positive impact it had was clear. ‘The whole operation was very impressive and it was wonderful to see Paul and the people close to him head for an unforgettable day out. Hopefully Guernsey companies will come forward to support Wetwheels and give disabled islanders the chance to access an activity that would have previously been impossible,’ she said.
Paula Protheroe, Branch Manager and Director at Waitrose & Partners, said: ‘We’re really excited to announce the launch of our Environmental Focus Fund for the Channel Islands. We hope the donations will make a real difference by inspiring our local community to act and find new ways to reduce our environmental footprint. ‘We’re looking to support projects that can demonstrate how they will make a tangible impact that will have long-term benefits for the community. We’d encourage any eligible organisation working in this space to apply. ‘At Waitrose & Partners we take environmental issues very seriously, and are making progress all the time, but we’re determined to maintain our momentum as well as supporting others to do the same.’
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A Boutique Bolthole
And The Home of Wheadon’s Gin Guernsey’s Bella Luce is the Gin Hotel, and the
Join the Wheadon’s Gin team for a distillery
perfect destination for a spirited stay. Located in
experience ranging from twice-weekly “gin-troductory”
leafy St Martins just a short stroll from beautiful
tasting sessions through to bespoke Distil While You
Moulin Huet Bay, nowhere else can you enjoy all of
Dine evenings, and let them take you on a gin journey.
the perks of a break in a small luxury hotel, with an award-winning distillery under the same roof.
Wheadon’s Gin is available to purchase duty-free onboard all Aurigny flights.
www.bellalucehotel.com The Bella Luce Hotel & Restaurant La Fosse, St Martins, Guernsey, GY4 6EB
01481 238764 @bellalucehotel
In-Flight
SkySnacks Enjoy refreshing drinks and snacks at great prices, plus make the most of Aurigny’s excellent duty-free offers. Products listed may be subject to change due to availability.
HOT DRINKS
£2.50 EACH
Black Coffee
BREAKFAST BITES
BAR DRINKS
Muffins
Echo Falls £4.50
Double Chocolate or Blueberry & Toffee
White Coffee Cappuccino
White or Rosé 18.75cl £2 EACH
Latte Hot Chocolate
Shorn Merlot £4.50 Red 18.75cl
Tetley English Breakfast Tea WARNING: These drinks are hot, please handle with care in order to protect yourself and fellow passengers.
SOFT DRINKS
2 FOR £7
Lunetta Prosecco £6 200ml
SWEETS Dairy Milk Duo, Maltesers Big Bag, or 4-Finger Kit Kat £1.50 EACH
£1 EACH
150ml
2 FOR £7
Magners Cider or Carlsberg Lager £4.50 330ml
2 FOR £10
2 FOR £7
Coca Cola or Diet Coke 150ml
Britvic Orange or Tomato Juice
SNACKS
150ml
Pringles
Spirits 50ml £5
Original or Sour Cream & Chive
Bacardi, Courvoisier, Gordon’s, Jack Daniel's, Smirnoff Red, Bombay Sapphire or Famous Grouse
Schweppes Lemonade or Canada Dry Ginger Ale 150ml
Mini Cheddars
Slimline Tonic Water or Tonic Water
£2 EACH
Sea Salted Pretzels
200ml
Robinsons Fruit Shoot £1.50 500ml
Still Spring Water £1.50
McVities Shortbread
2 SPIRITS AND 2 MIXERS £10
£1 EACH
COMBO DEALS DEAL 1
DEAL 2
DEAL 3
DEAL 4
DEAL 5
DEAL 6
Hot drink AND Muffin
Hot drink AND McVities Shortbread
Cheddars, Pretzels OR Pringles AND Beer, Cider, OR Wine
Cheddars, Pretzels OR Pringles AND a soft drink
Hot drink and Kit Kat OR Maltesers OR Dairy Milk
Soft drink AND Kit Kat OR Maltesers OR Dairy Milk
£4
£3
£6
£2.50
£3.50
£2
ALLERGENS Please be aware that some of our products may contain allergens and some of our customers may bring onboard their own products containing allergens. If you are susceptible to serious complications arising from allergens it is your responsibility to make our cabin crew aware of this immediately.
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Duty-Free
On board
DUTY FREE SPIRITS 1 Litre
MIX & MATCH
Gordon’s London Dry Gin £16 EACH or 2 FOR £26
£10 each or 2 FOR £18 The Famous Grouse Whisky
Famous Grouse Whisky or Gordon's Dry Gin 2 for
£18
£10 each or 2 FOR £18 Bombay Sapphire Gin
£10 EACH or 2 FOR £18
£16 each or 2 FOR £26 Smirnoff Blue Vodka £12 each or 2 FOR £20 £12 EACH or 2 FOR £20
CIGARETTES & TOBACCO Golden Virginia Tobacco 5 x 50g £35 Benson & Hedges Silk Cut Lambert & Butler Marlboro Gold
WHEADON'S GIN 70cl A premium artisan gin distilled in very small batches handcrafted in Guernsey
EACH 400 PACK £54
EACH 200 PACK £42
400 pack equivalent to £2.70 per 20 pack
200 pack equivalent to £4.20 per 20 pack
On flights between the Channel Islands and the UK, the allowance includes 200 cigarettes and one litre of spirits. A duty-free service is only available on the Embraer and ATR aircraft. You must be 18 or over to purchase tobacco or alcohol. Credit cards, debit cards or cash accepted.
£28 Rock Samphire and Pink Grapefruit or Yuzu, Lemongrass and Green Tea
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En Voyage | Aurigny’s Magazine
70cl £28
PLEASE NOTE: Items will not be exchanged/refunded, please check your duty free purchases before departing the aircraft.
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Local businesses are the engine room of the Channel Islands’ economy. With nine offices around the globe and a diverse practice, we’re known for our work with international organisations. But our heart is in the Channel Islands and we’ve never taken our focus away from the local market. Ogier’s local legal services team covers property, employment and regulatory law. We work with clients who are buying or selling a business, entering into a joint venture or restructuring, as well as advising on day to day issues from financing and corporate governance to contracts. Local Legal Services in Guernsey and Jersey Business and commercial law Competition law Dispute resolution Employment law Offshore relocations Planning and environmental law Private wealth and family office Property and construction law Regulatory law Trusts Advisory Group Wills, probate and estate planning