This award recognises an individual or organisation who puts Jersey on the global map, which in turn may attract visitors, businesses and even investors to our Island.
These ambassadors, travelling, working or volunteering abroad, often go unnoticed in daily Island life but play a vital role, directly and indirectly, in spreading the word about Jersey.
The impression they give to others around the world reflects well on our Island and encourages others to learn more about the place that we call home.
Read about the nominations for Ambassador of the Year 2015 here:
Name: Roger Nightingale
Parish: St Peter
Nominated by: Penelope Bromley
PENELOPE Bromley has nominated Roger Nightingale for the Ambassador of the Year Award for his dedication and commitment to the Jersey Rugby Football Club Academy.
Moving to the Island in 1969, Mr Nightingale has been a member of the club for 44 years and has also been chairman of the academy since the 2013/14 season.
Ms Bromley said: ‘Roger has built up the academy to a membership of more than 700 children, coached by 100 adults.
‘He ensures that every child receives good-quality coaching, increasing their fitness levels to enjoy the game and instilling a strong sense of team spirit.’
Ms Bromley said that the children, parents and coaches have nothing but praise for his hard work to promote the academy.
She added: ‘He puts in many hours of work on a completely voluntary basis and during his last three years as chairman of the academy, his involvement has been totally selfless.’
Name: Adrian Goldsborough
Parish: St Helier
Nominated by: Daniel Aires
A TEACHER who does his very best for his students has been nominated for the Ambassador of the Year Award.
Adrain Goldsborough is a teacher at Highlands College and, says nominator Daniel Aires, works his hardest to help his students to reach their goals.
When Mr Aires studied at Highlands, Mr Goldsborough supported him with everything he did, guiding him through many cooking competitions.
‘He was the reason why I won my first competition,’ said Mr Aires.
‘With his constant support, I went on to enter more competitions on a bigger stage.’
He entered the Channel Island Chef of the year in 2014 and won.
He also competed in the Jersey v Guernsey Battle of the Chefs, and has also taken part in the World Skills in Cooking competition in the UK.
Mr Aires says that each time he has competed, Mr Goldsborough has stood by his side to help him out.
‘He constantly works his hardest helping everyone to reach their goals,’ he said.
‘If he won this award, it would be my thank you to him.’
Name: David Ferguson
Parish: St Ouen
Nominated by: Fiona Ferguson
AN Islander who has developed sport in Jersey is in the running for the Ambassador of the Year award.
David Ferguson has in the past been an enthusiastic participant in rugby and in training the juniors at Jersey Rugby Club, as well as supporting the club itself.
He is also Jersey Surfboard Club president and has put in many years of service to the club.
Fiona Ferguson, who nominated Mr Ferguson, says her brother has made Jersey Surfboard Club what it is today and has been vital in giving it international recognition
‘He has organised and been instrumental in the development of the sport for juniors through training and competition to the highest standards the club has ever known,’ she said.
‘His efforts as president of the Surfboard Club and his involvement in other sports have been far reaching for the Island.’
Mr Ferguson has also worked for many years at the Jersey Evening Post as a photographer, where he created interest and awareness of sport in the Island, said Fiona.
Nominee: Mike Bowron
Nominated by: Iain Ford
THE chief of the States of Jersey Police has been nominated for the Ambassador of the Year award by Iain Ford.
Mr Ford praised police chief, Mike Bowron, for making the service more accessible and approachable and noted how he often made himself personally available on the streets of St Helier during lunchtimes to speak to the public.
He said: In the five years that he has been the chief of police, the public perception of the force has changed massively, especially after the events surrounding Haut de la Garenne.
‘He has also made the police far more accessible and approachable. A lot of work has been done on the social media side of things and he always makes himself available and does not shut himself away in his office.’
In his spare time, Mr Bowron is a keen runner, running every day since 1974 and is currently preparing for the national police ten-mile championship run in Surrey this September.
Since arriving in the Island from the Metropolitan Police in 2011, Mr Bowron has put an emphasis on increasing the visibility of the police by putting more officers on the beat.
Mr Ford said: ‘Mr Bowron is widely respected across the Island for the changes which he has implemented and for being open and honest with his officers.
‘If the public have a comment or problem, they seek to find him and talk to him personally.’
Name: ‘All Islanders who have undertaken a community work project overseas’ for JOAC.
Nominated by: Deputy Carolyn Labey (Chairman)
MEMBERS of the Jersey Overseas Aid Commission who have taken part in an overseas work project have been nominated for the Ambassador of the Year Award by chairman of the charity, Deputy Carolyn Labey.
Around 45 years have now passed since the concept of overseas work projects was born in the Island and since then over one hundred groups from Jersey have assisted in projects in different parts of the world.
In 2014, the charity visited various countries including Uganda, Bangladesh, Ghana and Nepal to help build infrastructure such as health clinics, schools and water supplies.
Deputy Labey specifically highlighted the work of Mr Brian Stuttard, Mr Alan Cameron and Mr Dick Richomme and said: ‘They all have undertaken numerous projects with the commission’s community work projects programme and educated many primary and secondary schools in the virtues of philanthropy.
She added: It is individuals such as these who are the real ambassadors for our Island, who reach out and touch the lives of the poor.
‘It is individuals such as these which result in so many communities within the developing world knowing about Jersey and the generosity and support given by its people.
Nominator: Penelope Frances Byrne
Nominee: Caroline Buchanan
Event co-organiser, Caroline Buchanan, has been nominated for the Ambassador of the Year award by Penelope Byrne for her role in organising the Liberation Music Festival.
Ms Byrne said: ‘Caroline has used her network of contacts together with her great set of skills to attract internationally acclaimed artists from around the globe to perform at the Liberation Music Festival.’
She added that Caroline frequently ensures that she gets the most out of the artists by organising educational events alongside the festival itself.
Caroline’s love for music started at an early age, learning to play various instruments and becoming involved with orchestras and jazz bands.
The festival, now in its seventh year has welcomed various well-known acts over the years including The Band of Her Majesty’s Royal Marines, The Berlin Philharmoic Octet and violinist, Alexander Sitvoketsky.
Caroline is also involved in the charity, Music in Action, which aims to promote and support the development of music in the Island through high quality musical events.
Recently, she welcomed three Royal Opera House principle ballet soloists to the Island and had150 local adults and children performing alongside.
Ms Byrne said: ‘Caroline’s drive and determination to showcase Jersey to the world, bringing together local people and artists of the highest calibre is putting Jersey on the world map for music festivals.’
The sponsor:
A LEADING provider of high-value business services to clients operating and investing globally, TMF Group employ 5,500 staff in 210 offices in 80 countries.
And it is because of their huge reach around the world that they feel that helping to find the Pride of Jersey Awards’ Ambassador of the Year is the perfect fit for them.
Managing director Jonathan Jennings said: ‘The majority of clients are based overseas, so the Ambassador award is interesting to us, as when we visit our clients we realise that we are representing not only TMF Group, but also Jersey.
‘Wherever you go in the world, people have heard of Jersey.
‘The Island punches well above its weight and is well known for its high standard of operation, its quality workforce, its stability and its regulation.’
WHY THESE AWARDS?
‘I was brought up in Jersey, and what I love about it, regardless of its size, is that it has a diverse and vibrant community, and that is evident in many of the activities that take place.
‘I am proud that Jersey has always embraced different cultures.
‘And because the TMF Group has had a presence in Jersey for so long, we want to support continued growth and celebrate the growth in the Island.’
WHY THIS CATEGORY?
‘Our core business is about helping individuals and organisations expand internationally.
‘Being an ambassador for Jersey and the finance industry is always at the forefront of what we do, and this category celebrates those individuals who are putting Jersey on the map.’
WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR IN THE WINNER?
‘A good ambassador is someone who emphasises the different aspects of Jersey, what we have to offer, over and above the obvious.
‘They will be able to articulate just what a special place Jersey is and encourage people to visit the Island and to see it for what it is – a major international success.
‘We are also interested in seeing youth come to the fore.
‘We would hope that anybody who has made a significant contribution to the Island in an ambassadorial role should be considered for this award.’
