Panellists announced for IoD debate

Thursday 09 August 2018

Jersey's chief Brexit negotiator, the chairman of its biggest telco and a trusted tax expert will be among the panellists discussing the fundamental issues facing Jersey at this year’s IoD Annual debate.

The debate, taking place on 20 September at the Royal Jersey Showground, is entitled ‘Is Jersey’s Economic Model Sustainable?’ and takes place amongst a backdrop of a new Council of Ministers and the new States CEO driving change throughout the civil service.

The panellists will include External Relations Minister and former Chief Minister Ian Gorst; Jersey Finance CEO Geoff Cook; Tracy Garrad, CEO of HSBC in the Channel Islands and Isle of Man. Phil Male, newly appointed Chairman of JT, Digital Jersey CEO Tony Moretta, Gerald Voisin, owner of Voisins Department Store; and John Riva, Executive Director and Head of Tax at KPMG.

The keynote speaker will be author and broadcaster, Leo Johnson, who has a particular interest in sustainable business practices. He is also a partner at PwC, leading its ‘Disruption’ practice, which attempts to predict the trends that impact business and society, whether that be technological, societal, environmental and cultural.

News broadcaster Alastair Stewart OBE will return as moderator.

The debate will pick up on some of the key themes which dominated the recent election with questions likely to focus around the sustainability of the model of low taxes/ high quality services, the zero-ten tax regime and population growth. 

Commenting on this year’s Debate, IoD Jersey Chairman Chris Clark (pictured), said: “Enjoying this beautiful summer, many of us would have taken a moment to remind ourselves just how lucky we are to live in Jersey. We’re also very fortunate to have a buoyant economy but, like the weather, things can change very quickly, and we need to be prepared and avoid complacency.

“At this year’s Debate, we will pick up on many of the themes discussed at last year’s compelling event and also our well-attended inaugural Mid-Term Review. Jersey in 2018 faces some difficult questions and the IoD Annual Debate has established itself as the forum to ask them.”