Homewatchers
Homewatch Jersey is a registered, new business providing a professional service looking after homes during clients’ absences. They monitor properties taking photographic evidence of anything that appears unusual or out of place. Each room is checked on a regular basis as requested: lights turned on and off, curtains drawn, post moved and rubbish bins put out as appropriate. Whatever the reason for having to leave your home empty – holidays, work or perhaps medical treatment – Homewatch Jersey provides a service covering any time period – from a week-end trip away to an extended vacation or leave of absence. Many insurance companies now specify that if a property is left vacant for an extended period, in some cases as little as for 48 hours, a weekly inspection is made.
Homewatch Jersey is run by two business partners, both of whom are professional women, who have previously worked for the States of Jersey.
Fiona Poolton is the day-to-day manager. Until recently she worked as a special needs teacher and educational audiologist providing support for children with deaf educational issues, their families and schools across the island. Judy Dingle trained as a nurse at The General Hospital and worked there over many years. Both Fiona and Judy are involved in the Parish Church of St Peter: Fiona is the Rector’s wife and Judy is a Lay Reader.
This service can take the worry out of these periods of absence giving clients peace of mind knowing that their home is professionally monitored.
Homewatch Jersey offers a range of services at various levels of input including the option of a personalized individual care package designed to meet your unique needs. They can even arrange for freshly made beds and a ‘welcome home’ package if requested.
Homewatch Jersey are happy to discuss additional services requested and negotiate a personal care package that meets the individual needs of their clients.
www.homewatchjersey.co.uk
First Names Group signs up second strategic acquisition
First Names has announced its agreement to acquire international trust business Basel Group (“Basel”). The transaction remains subject to regulatory approval.
The acquisition of Basel will significantly expand the Group’s existing offering in Jersey and Switzerland and will also establish its presence in Luxembourg. This is the second acquisition this year; the purchase of Moore Management, which completed in January, expanded the Group’s fund offering and presence into the Far East.
Post acquisition, First Names Group will have in excess of 400 staff across nine strategic locations. Basel will be absorbed into the First Names Group and will begin operating under the new brand towards the end of the year.
First Names Group has recently emerged from a management buy out and major rebrand to establish itself as a leading independent fiduciary and corporate services provider. The company is aligned to a robust five-point vision statement that clearly defines its objectives. Vigorous plans for growth, both organic and inorganic are high on the agenda and recent strategic senior hires look set to ensure its success in both.
Basel was established in 1996, has offices in Jersey, Switzerland and Luxembourg with associates in Monaco and Mauritius and provides a range of fiduciary solutions to a global client base. It employs 100 staff across these locations.
CEO of Basel, Julie Coward comments, “Basel has enjoyed a strong reputation for many years and First Names Group is built on the same exacting standards, values and people-centred culture. This is a perfect fit and a great opportunity for everyone in both companies to benefit from the many opportunities this transaction will present.”
Mark Pesco, Managing Director of First Names Group in Jersey comments, “This acquisition makes us one of the leading independent Channel Islands trust companies and is another major milestone for the business. I am really looking forward to introducing our people to their new colleagues over the coming weeks. The next step will be the relocation to our flagship premises in the new financial quarter of St Helier, which is something we are all extremely excited about.”
Morgan Jubb, Group Chief Financial and Operating Officer at First Names Group further comments, “This is the second acquisition since our management buy-out in July 2012. As a business we have made a commitment to create a flexible, multi-jurisdictional, fully aligned people-focused culture that will ultimately drive superior client service. We continue to invest heavily in the people, platforms and processes needed to support our objectives and I am naturally delighted that our growth plans are on track. This merger delivers economies of scale, increases our portfolio and gives us an additional strategic jurisdiction, all of which enhance opportunities for growth and career progression.”
Calligo Recognised as a Finalist in Prestigious Industry Awards
Finalist in Service Provider Hosting Provider Category
Calligo, the most technically advanced and comprehensive offshore cloud service provider, today announced they have been recognised as a finalist in the Data Centre Solutions Awards 2013 in the Service Provider/Hosting Provider category. The Data Centre Solutions Awards reward the products, projects and services as well as honour companies and teams operating in data centre fields. The DCS Awards recognise the achievements of end-users, channel partners and vendors alike.
Voting is now open and will close on 9th May, 2013.
Rathbones crowned ‘Best Wealth Manager’ at inaugural Wealth Adviser Awards
Rathbone Investment Management International (RIMI) was crowned ‘Best Wealth Manager (Jersey, Guernsey and Isle of Man)’ at the inaugural Wealth Adviser Awards, held on Friday 22nd March in London.
The awards, the winners of which are voted for by peers in the industry, were created to bring together the leading names in global wealth management to celebrate the achievements of the best performing managers, advisers and service providers in 2012.
Sunil Gopalan, Publisher, Wealth Adviser and Chairman of its parent company, GFM Limited says: “With 2013 starting positively for many wealth management sectors, the industry is reaping the benefits of responding throughout a tough 2012 to growing regulatory demands, such as the new RDR regime in the UK and the USA’s demanding FATCA regulations, while focusing on generating results for investors. The awards were determined by the votes of Wealth Adviser’s 15,000 subscribers around the world, who include leading private banks, family offices, IFAs, trust companies, wealth managers, fund managers and other industry professionals at legal, taxation, accounting firms and technology providers.”
Gopalan went on to say: “The winners of these global awards included Rathbones Investment Management International and two other firms in the Channel Islands, validating the efforts made by these firms for their clients and placing them on a level playing field with leading wealth advisers around the world.”
Commenting on the success Jonathan Giles said “Speaking on behalf of the entire Jersey team we are absolutely delighted to win this prestigious award. Any award which reflects the thoughts and actions of clients, their advisors and our peers is always an incentive to staff and ensures we continue to focus on the challenges to hand”.
New Name, New Year, Same Strong Story
for Nedbank Private Wealth
Nedbank Private Wealth announced a strong year of growth for 2012 and encouraging continued growth levels into the first quarter of 2013. Since changing its name from Fairbairn Private Bank in October last year, it has also won an award for its relationship management and been named the Best Private Bank for High Net Worth Clients (US$1m to US$10m) in Jersey in the global Euromoney Private Banking Awards.
Year-on-year profit in the bank after tax was up 33% in 2012, but when one-off revenue factors are excluded underlying year-on-year profit growth still remains impressive at 15%. The business continues to see strong new business flows with double-digit percentage growth in the number of new client accounts during 2012.
Greg Horton, managing director of Nedbank Private Wealth, said: “It is very pleasing to see that the strong progress made in 2012 has continued through into 2013.” Horton reported that total holdings on its award-winning integrated banking and investment platform, Focus, were continuing to grow strongly and were up a further 6% in the first quarter of 2013, having comfortably passed through the £2 billion (US$3 billion) mark for the first time.
Horton sees the driver for this growth as being the bank’s consistent profile of success and its strong reputation for integrity and excellence of client service: “We have never lost sight of the fact we exist to serve our clients, not ourselves, and, throughout these difficult economic times, our commitment and passion has never wavered in this regard. Our offering and execution has remained strong throughout and as wealth managers and bankers to our clients, we have continued to deliver attractive risk-adjusted returns and provided a secure home for their wealth.”
With the vast majority of new accounts emanating from existing client referrals across its six different geographic locations, one may be forgiven for feeling it need do no more. Not for Nedbank Private Wealth, however, its winning formula has already been endorsed by independent market analysis and, so far this year, the business has won: a maximum 3 stars, designated “extraordinary”, from the UK Best Companies Accreditation; a remarkable straight ninth-year listing within the Sunday Times sponsored Best 100 Small Companies to Work For; two Euromoney Private Banking Awards and the Wealth Adviser title of “Best Private Bank for Channel Islands and Isle of Man”.
Hawksford wins best offshore trust company award
HAWKSFORD has won the Wealth Adviser best offshore trust company award. Readers of the publication, which are made up of banking, legal, accountancy, private client, wealth advisory and tax advisory firms, nominated entities they believed to be ‘best in class’ in 30 categories. Hawksford received the greatest number of votes in the best offshore trust company category. ‘I am delighted that Hawksford has been recognised with this award. Our success is testament to the hard work and continuing dedication of our whole team,’ said Peter Murley, chief executive, Hawksford. ‘It is great that as a Jersey based company we are able to represent the island and its trust sector in such a positive way through our high standard of work, and that it has been recognised by our peers.’
The awards took place in Mayfair, London on Friday 22nd March. Hawksford was established in 2008 following a management buyout of Rathbone Trust Company Jersey Limited, backed by UK private equity company, Dunedin. Since this date, the company has grown, both organically and through expansion and acquisitions. Hawksford employs 180 staff and remains focused on delivering the personal, high quality service for which it is renowned. In June 2011, Hawksford opened its Dubai office and in August 2011, the business acquired Swiss firm L-S&S GmbH, a boutique private wealth law firm, based in Zurich. 2011 also saw the business appoint chairman, Philip Taylor. In January 2012, Hawksford acquired Trustcorp Jersey Limited. Most recently, in February this year, it acquired Key Trust.
Rathbones crowned ‘Best Wealth Manager’ at inaugural Wealth Adviser Awards
Rathbone Investment Management International (RIMI) was crowned ‘Best Wealth Manager (Jersey, Guernsey and Isle of Man)’ The awards, the winners of which are voted for by peers in the industry, were created to bring together the leading names in global wealth management to celebrate the achievements of the best performing managers, advisers and service providers in 2012.
Sunil Gopalan, Publisher, Wealth Adviser and Chairman of its parent company, GFM Limited says: “With 2013 starting positively for many wealth management sectors, the industry is reaping the benefits of responding throughout a tough 2012 to growing regulatory demands, such as the new RDR regime in the UK and the USA’s demanding FATCA regulations, while focusing on generating results for investors. The awards were determined by the votes of Wealth Adviser’s 15,000 subscribers around the world, who include leading private banks, family offices, IFAs, trust companies, wealth managers, fund managers and other industry professionals at legal, taxation, accounting firms and technology providers.”
Gopalan went on to say: “The winners of these global awards included Rathbones Investment Management International and two other firms in the Channel Islands, validating the efforts made by these firms for their clients and placing them on a level playing field with leading wealth advisers around the world.” Commenting on the success Jonathan Giles said “Speaking on behalf of the entire Jersey team we are absolutely delighted to win this prestigious award. Any award which reflects the thoughts and actions of clients, their advisors and our peers is always an incentive to staff and ensures we continue to focus on the challenges to hand”.
Jersey’s stability and expertise highlighted at leading Moscow conference
Delegates at a major financial services conference in Moscow last week heard about the opportunities Jersey offers as a stable international finance centre and the role it plays as a gateway to accessing markets around the world.
Gary Hales, Jersey Finance’s Business Development Representative for Russia and the CIS, attended the two-day Moscow Financial Innovation Forum at the Russian Chamber of Commerce Conference Centre, taking to the stage on 20th March with a talk entitled ‘Jersey: integrity, quality and service’.
Highlighting Jersey’s geographical proximity to Europe but position outside of the EU, Gary outlined the opportunities Jersey offered as a stable finance centre in facilitating investment in and out of Europe. In addition, he pointed to the strong links Jersey has with key growth markets including the Gulf, the Far East, India and Africa.
Emphasising Jersey’s agility in its approach to international business, Gary also reiterated Jersey’s commitment to adopting the highest international standards of regulation, in particular Jersey’s approach to the EU Alternative Investment Fund Managers Directive (AIFMD) which will see Jersey offering a unique ongoing route for alternative fund business both in and outside of Europe.
The Forum, which was attended by a broad cross-section of around 200 senior funds, wealth management and banking professionals, provided an update on Moscow’s development as an international finance centre and addressed some key trends in the international funds, banking, and private wealth sectors and shifts in the regulatory landscape.
Participation in the conference formed part of Jersey Finance’s ongoing work in Russia and the CIS region and built on its strategic programme to promote Jersey as a jurisdiction of choice specifically for high quality private wealth management business.
Jersey retains position as top dog offshore finance centre
Jersey has retained its top spot as the highest rated offshore jurisdiction in the latest Global Financial Centres Index (GFCI) and is the only offshore centre to feature in the top 30 finance centres around the world.
Jersey is now placed 28th in the competitive rankings, which are published every six months. The 13th edition of the Index has ranked Guernsey in 31st place, the Cayman Islands in 41st and the Isle of Man in 43rd. London remains number one, followed by New York, Hong Kong and Singapore.
Particularly strong performances from a number of major city locations that have jumped up the rankings, such as Paris, Vienna and Kuala Lumpur, have impacted Jersey’s previous GFCI 12 position (20th). However, Jersey has increased its overall rating in the Index to now sit just behind Melbourne, Paris and Munich and ahead of Oslo and Qatar.
The GFCI, launched in 2007, was designed as a barometer to track movements in the competitiveness of financial centres around the world. Geoff Cook commented
“In the last eight consecutive Indexes, Jersey has been the highest rated offshore jurisdiction. It is encouraging that Jersey continues to maintain such a high ranking, ahead not only of all the main offshore competitors, but also above a number of financial centres in EU jurisdictions, such as Malta and Dublin.
Ogier advises Ophir Energy plc in placing and rights issue
Ogier in Jersey acted for British gas and oil explorer and FTSE 250 listed Ophir Energy plc in connection with its recent placing and rights issue which has seen Ophir generate approximately £553 million. The proceeds from these equity raises will be used to amplify Ophir’s drilling programs in Tanzania, Kenya and Gabon as well as assist Ophir in acquiring future assets for its portfolio. Ogier advised Ophir on all Jersey aspects of the placing and rights issue through the use of a Jersey cashbox company. Ogier Corporate Services formed the Jersey company and provide ongoing administration services.
Paul Burton, Managing Associate at Ogier in Jersey said: “We are delighted to have advised Ophir on their recent equity raise, having acted for the company in 2012 on a previous deal of this type. The dual purpose (placing and rights issue) of the Jersey cashbox here demonstrates the flexibility of a vehicle which is able to meet PLC secondary fundraising requirements in a tailored way. The ability to provide both Jersey legal input and corporate administration support to clients is key in these types of transactions.”
Significantly, the combination of the placing and the rights issue as back-to-back transactions provided the adaptability which Ophir required. The Jersey structure enabled existing qualifying shareholders to subscribe for new ordinary shares in the rights issue (on a pre-emptive basis), whilst also being able to satisfy the significant demand from new investors to subscribe for placing shares and then participate in the rights issue.
Ogier have advised on more cash boxes than any other firm and have the experience and expertise to assist PLCs with any equity raise or other structuring requirements. Cash boxes have been used by not just PLCs listed on the Main List of the London Stock Exchange but also by AIM listed companies.
The Ogier Jersey legal team was led by corporate partner, Marc Yates who was supported by Paul Burton, Sean Inggs and Laura Hendrick. The team worked alongside members of Linklaters in London.
NEW SMART NUMBER TECHNOLOGY CUTS ROAMING CHARGES
Sure are helping Channel Island businesses slash their roaming costs by launching a new app that promises to reduce roaming charges by placing voice and video calls over the Internet. Their new Smart Number is available for iOS, Android and Windows and Mac PC devices. It enables business travellers, when abroad, to make and receive video and voice calls on their mobile phone or via their laptop using a Wi-Fi connection, rather than the local mobile network. The Smart Number application is intrinsically linked to a customer’s mobile number and call package, so calls made using Smart Number are charged as though the customer was on their home network, and are deducted from the customer’s call minutes allowance in the usual way. When Smart Number users are not in a Wi-Fi zone, the call is placed over the mobile network, as normal, so there is never any danger of missing a call.
As well as cutting roaming costs, Smart Number customers make and receive voice and video calls using their normal mobile phone number. This is a huge advantage over Skype and other Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) platforms which need separate accounts to be created, resulting in calls often having to be arranged in advance. On top of the accessibility that Smart Number offers, it also provides complete flexibility because it can be loaded onto multiple devices so the user can choose whether to use a smartphone, tablet or PC when making or receiving a call.
The launch of Smart Number is the first stage of its development and it is hoped that in the future, instant messaging, presence identification (letting other users know whether you are available, busy etc) and BlackBerry and Windows Mobile versions of the app will be available.
Serious Organised Crime Agency at ICSA Jersey Annual Gala Dinner
William (‘Bill’) Hughes, CBE, QPM, former senior law enforcement officer and Director General of the Serious Organised Crime Agency, will be the guest speaker at the ICSA Jersey Annual Gala Dinner in June 2013. His visit to Jersey (his first) is sponsored by Comsure. The annual black tie dinner will be held at the Hotel de France on Friday, 21st June 2013, and is open to ICSA members, students, and non-members. ICSA members and guests from the UK, Isle of Man and Guernsey are also most welcome. Mathew Beale, Managing Director, Comsure Compliance Limited, commented: “The ICSA Jersey Annual Dinner and Awards is a prestigious event in the Jersey business calendar and Comsure are proud to be involved this year. We are particularly honoured to be instrumental in bringing over the founding Director General of the Serious and Organised Crime Agency, Bill Hughes, as the guest speaker. The ICSA Jersey Awards Presentation and Graduation Ceremony will take place during the Dinner in a new-format style event which has become the focal point of the ICSA Jersey calendar. The evening will conclude with musical entertainment and dancing to local group, Inside Job, until 1am. In addition to Comsure, the Awards Dinner is co-sponsored by BPP Professional Education, CCV Jersey, Computershare, DCG, ICSA Software, Sator Regulatory Consulting, and The Basel Group, all keen supporters of ICSA Jersey and its members.
Tickets are £70 per person or a table for 12 people is £800. The evening will incorporate a Drinks Reception and three course Dinner.For more information please see the ICSA Jersey website at http://www.icsajersey.org.je
