Leading funds experts are to put the future of 'offshore' under the microscope at next month's Guernsey Funds Forum in London.
ITV news anchor Alastair Stewart OBE will host the Guernsey Funds Forum 2010 which will take place at the Grange St. Pauls Hotel on Wednesday 26th May.
The half-day conference and exhibition is titled 'Flight to Quality' and will see Guernsey and UK funds experts tackling the key issues facing the industry in the wake of the global financial crisis and the aftermath of the British General Election.
The conference programme incorporates the sessions 'Transparency' including Bridget Barker from Macfarlanes, 'Distribution' with Scott Cochrane of Herbert Smith and 'Alternatives' featuring Jon Moulton, Better Capital.
Other speakers include: Kimberly Tara, Chief Executive Officer of FourWinds Capital Management; Morten Spenner, Chief Executive Officer of International Asset Management; Jonathan Hooley, Chairman of the Channel Islands Stock Exchange (CISX); and Carl Rosumek, Deputy Director of Investment Business at the Guernsey Financial Services Commission (GFSC).
Peter Niven, Chief Executive of Guernsey Finance – the promotional agency for the Island's finance industry, said: "The speakers at this year's Guernsey Funds Forum are of a very high calibre. I am extremely confident that with these experts and Alastair Stewart chairing the sessions we will get to the very heart of the important issues and latest developments affecting the future of the 'offshore' funds industry in the wake of the global financial crisis and the result of the British General Election.
"The interactive nature of the event also makes it an excellent chance for Guernsey and UK delegates to not just hear from the panellists but also raise questions and put across their views, as well as being able to take advantage of the networking opportunities available."
As well as the conference, there will also be an exhibition of Guernsey service providers, including the Island's leading fund administrators, custodians, legal practices and accountancy firms. The event is being supported by the Association of Investment Companies (AIC) and one of the speakers will be Director General, Ian Sayers.
Mr Sayers said: "The funds industry globally has had a tough time during the last year to 18 months and there remain challenging issues which need to be addressed, particularly in relation to so-called 'offshore' centres. The Guernsey Funds Forum provides an ideal opportunity to take stock of where we stand and look into the crystal ball at what the future might hold for the funds industry."
Mr Niven added: "In the face of such uncertainties it is important for us to remind business introducers that Guernsey still offers great opportunities as a fund domicile and we will take every step possible to ensure that it continues to do so in the future.
"In particular, we have an environment that is well-suited to alternative and more esoteric asset classes of funds. The quality of our leading service providers and professional advisers, robust yet pragmatic regulation and high standards of corporate governance means we have an offering in the market that is unsurpassed by our competitors."
The Guernsey Funds Forum takes place on Wednesday 26th May 2010 at the Grange St. Pauls Hotel, 10 Godliman Street, London, EC4V 5AJ. For more information about delegate, exhibition and sponsorship opportunities contact Fiona Murray at Orchard Events fiona@orchardevents.com.
For more information about Guernsey's finance industry please visit www.guernseyfinance.com.
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