My Experience
Business, finance and public sector
"I will approach governing in the same collaborative way I have
worked with success in the private and public sector"
Finance and Investment
As an Associate Director at IAM Advisory, I support our team that provided investment advice to the States of Guernsey (2009 to 2021). We brought in key developments such as using more local fund managers. This ensured that the fee income was kept in Guernsey.
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An essential part of making this work was our role in managing the fund managers to ensure they were delivering what was expected within a strategy appropriate for Guernsey.
As part of my role, I help our clients who wish to invest their money in more responsible companies committed to a sustainable environment, a fair and equal society and strong governance.
Governance
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I have held several non-executive Directorship positions and pride myself for being meticulous, understanding the roles of oversight, implementation and monitoring delivery.
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​​I would bring this expertise to the States when it interacts with the Civil Service and external providers who have been commissioned to provide local services.
This means proper governance of private public partnerships such as Sure's successful fibre rollout and State’s grant-supported charities like the Arts and Sports Commissions, specialist health and education groups, and projects where the States provides property like the successful development of the Bathing Pools, now a thriving community hub.
Working together, we can connect the States, businesses and charities to assist the Civil Service in the successful, effective delivery of decisions taken.​​​
Non-executive roles
This includes a large captive insurer, the Data Protection Authority and various trading startups in Guernsey, Jersey and the UK.
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I was privileged to be part of a successful government/private sector project with the recent launch of the YIP (Your Island Pension Scheme). As a member of the YIP Governance Committee, I have witnessed how private sector expertise can deliver key government policies, which will fundamentally improve islanders’ ability to have a successful retirement.
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I was proud to serve the island's business community as a Committee member of the IoD Guernsey branch.
Rob Fletcher, Former Director from Aon​
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As a non-executive director for an Aon captive insurance client, Jennifer has played an active role in monitoring and oversight. Her background in investments has been particularly valuable in guiding the Board’s decision-making for a complex captive managing a broad range of insurance lines.
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The captive and its manager have been fortunate to benefit from her governance expertise on the Board.”
Carl Symes, former Chairman, Startup Guernsey
“As CEO of Startup Guernsey, Jennifer was active in expanding our support to include raising funds as well as developing mentor dinners, which ensured local entrepreneurs had the chance to meet and be mentored by a wide range of volunteer mentors.
The networking opportunities were invaluable for Startup Guernsey clients and a testament to Jennifer's vision to supporting partnerships connecting mentors and budding entrepreneurs, aided by Startup Guernsey.”
Support for Entrepreneurs
Running Startup Guernsey was a fantastic opportunity to witness first-hand the ingenuity of our local entrepreneurs and their frustrations in dealing with local bureaucracy.
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I contributed to a 2018 Chamber of Commerce Red Tape report, which identified many blockages that now needs an update. I wrote the Startup Guernsey Entrepreneur report in 2019, which identified many opportunities to better support local entrepreneurs.
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My work as a non-executive director and "angel" investor to startups helped me support hundreds of Guernsey entrepreneurs to realise their vision. I assisted some of them to raise over £3 million during my time at Startup Guernsey.
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Digital innovations will support many of our local startups, and I will give full support to delivering the Digital Framework alongside the new Innovate Guernsey Board.
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Small businesses and trades people are the backbone of the island's economy. I believe they are an unsung and undeveloped route to the diversification of our economy. They need more support with skills acquisition, assistance in exporting, business development and funding options. The assistance should be available to all. I have ideas how this might be funded.
Sustainability
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I volunteer for the Guernsey Finance Sustainable Finance Council, helping our promotional agency showcase Guernsey's successful Sustainable Finance offerings. Volunteers from industry are essential for Guernsey Finance to amplify its impact and I was proud to support them.
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I use my experience with leading companies in environmental and sustainable approaches as a co-lead of the Sustainable Business Initiative (SBI), a Guernsey Chamber of Commerce group that helps local businesses to become more sustainable with practical and cost-effective solutions.
Our workshops and events have focused on opportunities in eco-tourism, reducing building and maintenance costs using sustainable practices, and opportunities in sustainable pensions.​​​
Rollo de Sausmarez, Co-Lead Chamber Sustainable Business Initiative
Jennifer and I have co-led the SBI for 5 years together. I have seen first-hand how she's hands on, hardworking and insightful, and driven to do the best for the island. She's collaborative, has good ideas, and does what she says she's going to do, every time.
Russ Fossey, Head of Arts Development, Guernsey Arts
“Jennifer has been a real hands-on volunteer at Guernsey Arts, whether helping to develop and launch our successful new Membership Scheme, developing fund raising events or face painting at Arts Sunday, she brings a clear vision and can-do attitude to every project.”
Charity partnerships with government
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I volunteer for Guernsey Arts because of what the arts bring to Guernsey. The work of Guernsey Arts ensures we have more art and culture for islanders and visitors to enjoy. They also reach out to those in our community who don’t typically have access to the creative arts.
I help raise funds for Guernsey Arts, which in turn supports many of the arts organisations and festivals we all love and makes Guernsey special. It has demonstrated to me the strength of charities in making an impact.
Like most charities on island, Guernsey Arts provides an economic multiplier effect from the many hours donated by volunteers. It also provides seed funding to projects that encourages private and corporate donations to follow. Charities are truly Guernsey’s superpower and they need to be nurtured.
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