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• 21 relocations (6 personal; 15 business) • 36 jobs created and more to come • Nearly £700k returned to exchequer • 400 stakeholder meetings • 3.5m. social media views • 140 inquiries
Locate Guernsey achieved impressive results in 2016, facilitating 21 relocations and creating 36 local jobs.
Working with a budget of £400,000 and a team of four, Locate Guernsey has returned an annualised financial benefit to the exchequer of almost £700,000.
The team attended around 400 stakeholder meetings, 50 events and handled 140 inquiries.
Its flagship event was a London showcase presented to more than 200 people including Guernsey and UK advisers and people potentially interested in relocating.
Locate Guernsey is dedicated to attracting businesses and individuals to relocate to Guernsey. It promotes the island as a great place to live and from which to do business, offering a rare work/life balance.
Richard Le Tocq, Head of Locate Guernsey, said: “While we will never be complacent, it is rewarding that we have made significant progress with limited resources. We have been very pleased with the level of support that has been demonstrated by the Guernsey community.
“The biggest challenge is getting Guernsey on the radar and helping people to understand how straightforward it is to relocate here. We’ve had some very encouraging feedback from those who have made the move to the island.
“Typically and understandably, there can be a long lead time from initial inquiry to eventual relocation. A number of our leads from last year are part of our ongoing work in progress and will come to fruition further down the line.”
Mr Le Tocq said that the figure of £672,266 financial benefit to the island excluded wider economic value to Guernsey businesses such as contributions to the construction, service and hospitality, legal and financial sectors.
“The ripple effect of the relocations in 2016 extends much wider than the obvious benefits and will continue to do so as new ventures become established and mature,” he said.
One of those who relocated is Simon Davies, the founding director of fintech transformation consultancy the 1882 Group which established its headquarters in Guernsey in summer 2016. Six local employees have been identified already and it is expected that around 15 more locally-sourced jobs will be created over the next three years.
He said: “We would not be here without Locate Guernsey. They were absolutely critical. They organised access to the public and private sectors in Guernsey and provided a package of assistance that went far beyond just connections. The opportunity to support them in some of their activities has helped us too by raising our profile.”
During the year there were more than 40,000 visits to Locate Guernsey’s website, there were more than 3.5m views of social media content and 43,000 other digital interactions. The Locate Guernsey video – Business and Lifestyle Perfection – was viewed 41,348 times.
Locate Guernsey reports to the Economic Development Committee. Committee president Deputy Peter Ferbrache said: “The Locate Guernsey team have got off to a positive start with their first year results, demonstrating that it’s essential to have a central point of inquiry for people looking to relocate. I’m optimistic that we will see this trend continue with more enquiries converted to relocations in 2017 and beyond.”
Martyn Dorey, President of the Guernsey Chamber of Commerce and a champion of inward investment said: “It is extremely good news that Locate Guernsey has got off to such a strong start. It has quickly become an important part of Guernsey’s efforts to encourage entrepreneurialism and investment which is already helping to strengthen and diversify the island’s economy.
“The proof is in the pudding that investing in growth pays dividends. We have got to have a long-term outlook and invest in the local economy. Business is not going to find its own way to Guernsey and these people that have relocated are not just bringing jobs but cultural benefits as well.”
