Following its recent annual general meeting, the Jersey Funds Association (JFA) has elected a new committee to champion Jersey’s ecosystem for alternative funds.
Michael Johnson (pictured), Group Head of Institutional Services at Crestbridge, takes over as Chairman, while Mourant Partner Joel Hernandez takes on the position of Vice Chairman.
The new committee introduces some new faces, with Robin Wilson, Sophie Reguengo, Stephanie Hopkins, Clive Spears and John Riva all joining.
Remaining on the committee this year are Richard Anthony, Mike Byrne, Steve Cartwright, Ben Dixon, Ben Honeywood, Dilmun Leach, Robert Milner, Tim Morgan, Simon Page, Martin Paul, Tom Powell, Peter Rioda, Ben Robins, Martin Rowley, Sarah Sandiford and Elliot Refson.
At the AGM, outgoing JFA Chair Tim Morgan, a Partner at law firm Maples, outlined the highlights of the past year.
“Jersey's funds industry continues to operate in a fast-evolving market, with regulatory, economic and geopolitical uncertainty continuing to pose challenges.
"But the fact that Jersey’s funds industry succeeded in reaching new record highs of assets under administration in 2022, and in each of the past three years, speaks volumes about the appeal of Jersey’s platform of stability. As ever, we need to continue to work hard to underpin this."
New Chair Michael Johnson added: “There’s no doubt the landscape continues to pose challenges. Geopolitical developments have significantly worsened since the increased hostilities in Ukraine, and from a macro-economic perspective inflation rates, interest rate changes and other economic indicators are pointing to a significantly more challenging economic environment.
"Jurisdictionally, the competitive environment remains intense and evolving too.
“But there is plenty for Jersey to be positive about. We have a compelling proposition, an industry that is growing at an impressive rate and more and more managers of substance looking at Jersey to support their cross-border needs.
"Private equity, venture capital and real assets are at the heart of global economic rebuilding efforts, and we have precisely the experience and platform here to support that and make a positive impact.”