The Board of Guernsey Finance has announced that Dominic Wheatley will be appointed as Chief Executive with effect from 1 December. Mr Wheatley will replace Fiona Le Poidevin, whose resignation was announced in July.

Mr Wheatley has more than 25 years' experience in the international financial services market in the UK and Guernsey, most recently as Managing Director of Willis Management (Guernsey) Limited and Chief Marketing Officer of Willis' international insurance management businesses. He also served as Chairman of the Guernsey International Business Association (GIBA) - the representative body of the financial services industry in Guernsey - from 2011 to 2013, a position which saw him serve ex officio as a Director of Guernsey Finance. Prior to becoming GIBA Chairman, he was Chairman of the Guernsey International Insurance Association (GIIA) from 2009 to 2011.

Jim Gilligan, the Chairman of Guernsey Finance, said: "It gives the Board great pleasure to announce Dominic as the new Chief Executive of Guernsey Finance. He has a wealth of knowledge and expertise within the financial services industry both locally and internationally and a strong record of international marketing. We look forward to the contribution he will make to the organisation going forward.

"Having served as the Chairman of GIIA and most notably GIBA, Dominic is well versed in representing the interests of all sectors of Guernsey's finance industry. His previous service as a Director of Guernsey Finance also means that Dominic already has a good understanding of the organisation's core values, objectives and strategies."

Mr Wheatley said he was very excited to be joining Guernsey Finance.

"This is a very important phase in the development of the Island's economy and the promotion of our finance industry is a key part of that. I am really looking forward to joining the Guernsey Finance team and working with them to ensure the continuing success of Guernsey as a leading international finance centre," he said.

"I feel particularly privileged to be taking charge of the next chapter in its development as we build on the progress already made and continue with the strategy of protecting our core markets of the UK and wider Europe, as well as promoting the Guernsey brand in new markets such as China and Latin America. Having worked closely with Guernsey Finance over the years I have been hugely impressed by what the team has achieved in raising the Island's profile as a leading international finance centre and I am delighted to be joining them and to have the opportunity to be a part of their future success."

Guernsey Finance is a joint collaboration between the Commerce and Employment Department on behalf of the States of Guernsey and GIBA on behalf of the Island's finance industries. Its remit is to market the Island as an independent international finance centre on the world stage. Guernsey Finance employs 10 staff in Guernsey and one in its representative office in Shanghai.

Mr Gilligan said: "The Board wishes to place on record our sincere thanks for, and appreciation of, the tremendous job Fiona has done for Guernsey Finance during her tenure as Chief Executive. She leaves the legacy of a strong team and a focussed strategy. We look forward to Dominic and the team carrying on this work, evolving the strategy in response to market developments and enhancing our promotion of Guernsey's finance industry."

For more information about Guernsey's finance industry please visit www.guernseyfinance.com.

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