The 39-year-old is the managing director of the Jersey Development Company, a States-owned organisation charged with building on behalf of the government, but says that there was a time he considered studying architecture while growing up.
Although the JDC has a large development portfolio, in recent years it has become most known for its plans to turn the Esplanade car park into the JIFC – a modern, six-office complex.
The project is part of a wider ‘Esplanade Quarter Masterplan’ designed to regenerate and redevelop reclaimed land in public ownership.
The overall scheme has faced something of a tortured history, being passed through the hands of several organisations before settling in the lap of the JDC.
And since announcing that the JIFC would be built as the first phase of the Masterplan, critics and vocal opponents have worked to disrupt the project, calling for work to be delayed either through formal objections to the JDC’s planning applications, or, more recently, by creating a human chain around the Esplanade car park.
Rival developers C Le Masurier Ltd, who have permission to build a large office complex in Broad Street, have also launched a legal challenge against approved plans for building five of the JIFC.
Progress continues to be made, however, with the JDC recently announcing its first tenant – Swiss investment bank UBS – who have signed up to take 16,350 sq ft of the first building.
In the meantime the Corporate Services Scrutiny Panel is continuing a review of the proposals.
For Mr Henry, the JDC is simply getting on with a project that he is quick to remind was subject to extensive public consultation in 2006 and 2007.
‘It probably goes even further back to the decision to carry out reclamation of land in the first place.
‘However, when we look back at the Island’s history, reclamation and development isn’t anything new.
‘The seashore used to lap as far up as the Town Church at one point.
‘With building number four we received planning permission in August 2013 I think.
‘Since that date we have been attempting to secure pre-lets to enable us to commence construction.
‘Reaching an agreement with UBS was a fantastic moment in the company’s history. It was a real milestone.
‘That enabled us to move forward in accordance with our obligations with the States of Jersey in delivering this important project.’
With the public’s gaze examining every step taken by the JDC, much has been said about the scheme in recent months.
However, Mr Henry believes that much of the public criticism of the project stems from misconceptions about the work surrounding funding, what the space should be used for, parking and the need to create modern, grade A offices.
In an attempt to help the public understand the JIFC plans more clearly the JDC has also created a frequently asked questions section on its jerseydevelopment.je website.
‘There has been a significant amount of misinformation being presented in the public arena regarding the Jersey International Finance Centre,’ he said.
‘One misconception is that we have the use of public funds that should be being paid into other States projects.
‘There’s a misconception that we are somehow taking money out of government coffers to fund this project, when actually this project is being funded privately through a commercial loan from a local retail bank. That is entirely separate from States funds.
‘Then there are the differing opinions about the building use that should be put on site.
6 – The number of office blocks proposed for the site
200,000 – The amount of office space in square feet former Treasury Minister Philip Ozouf said would have to be pre-let before work could begin. Senator Maclean said this was a mistake
13 – The number of prospective tenants supposedly in talks to move into the development
16,000 – The square footage to be taken by Swiss bank UBS, with the option of a further 7,000 sq ft
1,200 – The number of people who have signed a petition to halt the development
£50 million – The amount the JDC estimate the development could return to the Treasury Department
‘You have those who wish it to remain a surface car park and there are those who have expressed a desire to have it transformed into a public park.
‘Ultimately, the Esplanade Quarter Masterplan sets out proposals for the site.
‘When the car park was created it was only ever meant to be a temporary car park and it was always envisaged that the site would be built on.
‘There is also this perception that there will be a loss of parking.
‘We have endeavoured to allay those concerns and highlighted that we are required, under our planning conditions, to maintain 520 spaces.
‘To the south we have created a temporary car park for the first phase of building and that will be extended as further buildings come on stream.
‘And part of our proposal is to create a new underground public car park with a park area on top.
‘So there won’t be any loss of parking throughout the development.
‘There is also still the misconception that there is significant, available office space in St Helier.
‘That exists partly because there is available office space, but in the main it is not suitable for modern office requirements.
‘And if buildings don’t meet a business’s requirements it is very hard to retro-fit them.
‘There is no doubt there is a pressing need for grade A, modern, efficient office accommodation as we are currently in very short supply.
‘Today, with completed buildings, there’s only 15,000 square feet available in the marketplace.
‘Based on discussions we are having with prospective tenants, those buildings will not provide sufficient space for the level of demand over the next three to five years.
‘Even this week we heard of another potential business, from outside of Jersey looking for between four and 6,000 square feet of space, who found it difficult to find suitable accommodation.
‘That’s not a good place for the Island to be in given that our primary industries are office-based.
‘Without the quality and availability of infrastructure the Island risks not even making the shortlist of potential jurisdictions for new businesses looking to relocate.’
Aside from the finance centre project the JDC is also in the early stages with more residential developments close to the Radisson Hotel and is due to begin selling units at the former JCG school site on Mont Cantel. That project is due to deliver 187 homes in the coming years.
Mr Henry, who was educated at St Lawrence Primary School before moving on to De La Salle College, returned to Jersey after studying geography and sports science at the University of Chester.
He went on to complete his ACCA accountancy qualification while working with Moore Stephens and then went to work for the Treasury Department’s risk management division.
Following a stint with the States corporate capital unit he was seconded to the Waterfront Enterprise Board as a development manager in 2004, but that became a permanent position.
And while with WEB he undertook an MSC in real estate management with Reading University. In 2011 he was appointed managing director of the JDC.
Outside of work he is kept busy with a young family. But are the long hours and constant scrutiny worth it?
‘I thoroughly enjoy the work,’ Mr Henry said.
‘It’s diverse and no day is the same. There’s a great deal involved in bringing all of the component parts of our projects together.
‘Seeing a project completed is where we get our buzz.
‘I always had an interest in property. At one time I was considering architecture, but that was early on and never really translated.
‘So I think there was always something there for me about property.
‘My working week varies depending on what’s on.
‘Effectively you are pretty much on-call. But with every job you’ve got peaks and busy periods.
‘At the moment we are in a busy period, which is great.
‘I think the important thing is we deliver on our commitments for the Island and for the States.’
