IoD Debate to explore Jersey's positioning for future challenges

An expert panel of speakers will discuss how Jersey should position itself in order to remain a successful jurisdiction for international financial services, become a centre of digital excellence and re-establish itself as a thriving tourist destination at the Jersey Institute of Directors' Annual Debate in September.

Entitled ‘Who Dares Wins: positioning Jersey for the challenges ahead', the event, once again sponsored by law firm Carey Olsen, will examine how Jersey is perceived globally as a finance centre, what Jersey needs to do to become a recognised centre for digital technology services, and what Jersey must do to attract more high spending visitors.

A high calibre line-up of panellists from Jersey, the UK and Asia has been assembled for the annual event. They are Simon Nixon, Founder of moneysupermarket.com and who has recently relocated to Jersey; Elisabeth Astall, Non-Executive Director of Digital Jersey; Senator Philip Ozouf, Treasury and Resources Minister, States of Jersey; Mike Byrne, Director at PwC, currently on secondment in Singapore; Kevin Keen, CEO of Jersey Post and former President of the Jersey Chamber of Commerce; and John Boothman, former banker and now Non-Executive Director; and a high profile person from the UK leisure sector to be confirmed.

Exploring the challenges Jersey will have over the coming years in the face of increasing regulation, rapidly changing technologies, a shifting international political landscape and growing competition from other jurisdictions, the panellists will also pinpoint some opportunities for Jersey and examine what it needs to do both domestically and on the international stage in order to realise its ambitions across the finance, digital and tourism sectors.

The event will once again be moderated by news broadcaster Alastair Stewart OBE, presenter of a range of news and current affairs programmes including the ITV Evening News, Lunchtime News and News at Ten. With a career that stretches back to 1976, Alastair has also presented and reported on news and current affairs programmes on Channel Four, BBC Radio 5 and GMTV. In 2005, Alastair was The Royal Television Society's Presenter of the Year, and in 2006 he was awarded the OBE in the Queen's Birthday Honours List for his work in broadcasting and for charity.

Commenting on the topic for this year's Debate, IoD Jersey Chairman Jason Laity, said:

"At this year's Debate, our panel of experts will discuss what needs to be done to realise Jersey's objective of truly diversifying its economy, and what challenges it can expect to encounter en route – both at a global level and closer to home. It's a hugely complex debate that involves fundamental questions about our island, and government and business will need to work closely together and potentially make some difficult decisions to ensure that the right vision is adopted for a successful future. The line-up of speakers at this year's Debate covers the full spectrum of opinion across the finance, digital and tourism sectors and will provide some real insights into Jersey's possible future.”

Alex Ohlsson, Managing Partner of sponsors Carey Olsen, commented: “While Jersey continues its focus on maintaining and enhancing its position as a leading international finance centre, its ambitions to marry that with a cutting edge digital economy and a prosperous tourism industry are not without challenges. There needs to be a serious debate about whether Jersey has appropriate strategies in place to achieve its objectives, what political attitudes are towards the policies that need to be implemented, whether the Island is prepared to apply sufficient entrepreneurial energy to sectors other than finance and whether there is a genuine commitment to change in order to complete in global markets Hearing the views of experts and engaging in a wide ranging debate will be a hugely valuable exercise.”

The Institute of Directors Annual Debate, which normally attracts an audience of over 500 people, will take place on Thursday 19 September 2013 at the Hotel de France from 4.15pm – 9.30pm and includes a drinks reception and two course dinner. The IoD encourages politicians and representatives from all business sectors to attend. Tickets are £70 for IoD members and non-members and tables of 10 and 12 are also available. Places can be reserved by contacting the IoD Jersey Branch Officer on 01534 610799 or e-mail jedirector@localdial.com. The public can get involved in the debate via the IoD Jersey 2013 Debate Group on LinkedIn, where the IoD has suggested a number of initial ‘SMART' objectives to prompt discussion, and by following Twitter at @iodjersey and using hashtag #iodjsydebate.