Chefs from restaurants, shops, cafés and residential care homes from all over the Island were given the opportunity to taste new products and watch demonstrations of the latest cooking techniques at the trade show at the Pomme d’Or Hotel.
The event was hosted by Easnemyne and its UK partner, Brakes.
Martina McGibney, commercial director at Easenmyne, said that the show, which was officially opened by the Constable of St Helier, Simon Crowcroft, was a way of thanking customers who had supported them over the years.
The aim of the event, believed to be the largest of its kind in the Channel Islands, was to introduce chefs to new seasonal ingredients, as well as offer practical culinary techniques and support. Dishes on the menu included beef and products from Jersey Dairy.
Easenmyne chairman Peter Surcouf said: ‘We started from humble roots as milkmen, and it has always been our passion for food and serving our customers that has brought us to where we are today.
‘We are committed to growing our business by establishing partnerships with the best people nationally.’
High praise from OECD for Jerseys tax transparency
JERSEY’S positive role in helping to shape the international transparency landscape has been praised by a senior OECD tax expert at this year’s Jersey Finance Annual London Private Client Conference.
Addressing an audience of more than 400 senior private client tax, trust and wealth management professionals at the event, which was held at 8 Northumberland Avenue earlier this month and was entitled Mapping the Future, Pascal Saint-Amans, director of the OECD Centre for Tax Policy and Administration, highlighted ‘the tremendous job Jersey has done contributing to the international tax agenda’.
Emphasising the complexities for jurisdictions and firms now that there are multiple models in place for information exchange, Mr Saint-Amans added: ‘It is important to recognise the role of small jurisdictions in the work we are doing.
‘We aim to deliver a level playing field for all, and Jersey was one of the best and first in grabbing this opportunity to shape the agenda.’
During two panel sessions at the conference, which is now one of the largest dedicated private client conferences in London, panellists referred to the introduction of the OECD’s Common Reporting Standard, which will come into play in the UK from 1 January 2016, as ‘a quantum leap’ for firms, suggesting that there is real potential for greater market share for jurisdictions like Jersey that have already made the investment in meeting and exceeding global standards.
In a warning to the wealth management sector, panellists also suggested that although jurisdictions like Jersey had done all they could to provide a framework for effective information exchange, it was now up to firms to make sure they had the ability, expertise and technology to make sure that this worked in practice and that information was accurate.
In another keynote speech, Philip Marcovici, former chief executive officer of LawInContext and former partner at Baker and McKenzie, called for a greater level of proactivity from all jurisdictions if compliance was not to spiral out of control.
He also questioned how the increasing flows of data could be guaranteed to be used appropriately by governments, particularly in emerging markets.
The conference was moderated by Stephanie Flanders, who also discussed the current state of the markets and the importance of productivity as the UK attempts to resolve its debt issues, and the event concluded with the views of behavioural economist and award-winning FT columnist Tim Harford.
Panellists at the event included Colin Powell, representing Jersey; Richard Hay, solicitor at Stikeman Elliott; George Hodgson, deputy chief executive at STEP; Naomi Rive, chief trust officer and Coutts & Co Trustees (Jersey); Nick Jacob, partner at Wragge Lawrence Graham & Co; John Riches, partner at RMW Law; James Campbell, partner at Bedell Group; and Ian Crosby, managing director of Stonehage Financial Service Holdings (Jersey).
Geoff Cook, the chief executive officer of Jersey Finance, who introduced the conference, said: ‘What came across strongly at the event was just how well respected Jersey is, in its ability not only to meet international standards of information exchange, but also to exceed them. This was reflected in Pascal’s very welcome comments.
‘Jersey has invested a significant amount of time and energy into positioning itself at the cutting edge of information exchange, and for that reason the introduction of the CRS shouldn’t be as big a challenge for Jersey firms as it might be for those in other jurisdictions.
‘The certainty this can offer the private wealth community will be a real competitive advantage for Jersey as investors increasingly seek centres that can offer high standards and effective asset protection capabilities.’
Mr Saint-Amans’ comments follow similar endorsements for Jersey from senior EU figures earlier this month. Pierre Moscovici, European commissioner for economic and financial affairs, praised the Channel Islands’ ‘active engagement’ in combatting tax evasion, fraud and abusive tax avoidance.
He also referred to the islands as ‘important partners to the EU’, while Jonathan Hill, EU commissioner with responsibility for financial stability, financial services and capital markets, underlined the importance Jersey places on good regulatory co-operation.
Growth on agenda at networking classes
A NETWORKING masterclass is to be launched in the Channel Islands to help individuals and small to medium enterprises to experience business growth.
The Busy Queen Bee, founded by Claire Boscq-Scott, is running a two-hour networking masterclass in Jersey and Guernsey in June as a result of demand for such an event.
‘Nowadays, networking is a recognised and essential professional skill,’ said Ms Boscq-Scott, ‘and sole traders and small, medium and large businesses can benefit from training and developing in this often overlooked area.’
The networking masterclasses, sponsored by Moore Stephens, are designed to help participants to develop confidence in their ability to connect with people, make a first and lasting impression and build a personal brand.
In addition to Ms Boscq-Scott, four speakers will give presentations at the masterclass – Women’s Development Forum founder Michelle Johansen, Eliot Lincoln, of Greenlight; and Jo Couilliard and Toni Bracken of Park Personnel.
Mrs Johansen, who is a certified coach, workshop leader and group facilitator, founded the Women’s Development Forum in Guernsey in 2009 and in Jersey last year.
She runs a series of workshops for women in leadership, including classes on public speaking.
‘Michelle is a very good orator with years of experience in coaching leadership development,’ said Ms Boscq-Scott.
Mr Lincoln established Greenlight, a project management and business analysis company, in 2008.
He takes a no-nonsense approach to networking, building contacts and working with stakeholders.
Ms Boscq-Scott said: ‘Elliot is not afraid to have difficult conversations, with the ability to implement valuable improvements and positive change into customers’ businesses, and as such he is an asset to the event.’
Miss Le Couilliard and Mrs Bracken own and run the recruitment consultancy in Jersey.
Having 20 years of practical experience of board level influencing, change consulting and stakeholder engagement, they will provide tips on how to make a good first impression.
‘Jo and Toni will provide masterclass attendees with techniques for building a successful personal brand,’ said Ms Boscq-Scott.
The networking masterclasses take place in Guernsey at St Pierre Park and Golf Resort on Monday 15 June and in Jersey at Grand Jersey Hotel and Spa on Monday 22 June from 4.30 pm until 6.30 pm, followed by 90 minutes of networking.
