What we do:

Variety, the Children’s Charity of Jersey and Bambola Toymaster in St Helier have helped ensure Christmas comes a little earlier this year to the children of Springfield Primary School. Responding to a request from Anthea Carroll, Deputy Head Teacher, Variety and Bambola helped donate funds to buy an interactive whiteboard to support the education needs of children within the school’s nursery classes.

As well as supporting children for whom English is an additional language, the school also has several children with Autistic Spectrum Needs/Sensory Needs. Some of these children are non-communicative and cannot understand or follow social cues in the class. The interactive whiteboard, therefore, provides an alternative method to allow the children to communicate.

Anthea Carroll says: “We are so grateful for the generosity of Variety and Bambola. This year, the school has had to deal with several challenges and associated costs required to support our students through the Covid-19 pandemic. Without additional support, we would not have been able to provide this whiteboard, but it is already proving to be an invaluable asset to the class. Some of our Autistic students, who are totally non-communicative and can get quite distressed, have been drawing on the board and speaking for the first time. Several of these children had never picked up a pen before to mark-make and this is the first evidence we have seen of this skill. I cannot express enough thanks to Variety and Bambola as to have seen so much progress already is phenomenal. This whiteboard will make such a positive difference to children’s nursery experience and really help them to communicate with us.”

Sandra Auckland, Chief Barker for Variety commented: “We are always pleased to be able to help with projects that improve the lives of children in Jersey. Hearing about the progress that has been made and the difference this will make to the nursery pupils at Springfield is worth all of the efforts that we make to fundraise.”

Jersey charity, Community Savings, is pleased to announce a three-year sponsorship agreement with Santander International. Funds from the sponsorship will be utilised to support marketing and website development to raise awareness of the charity and help broaden its reach across the Island to people who are in need of financial support and budgeting advice which is particularly prevalent now. This welcome contribution will substantially support the work that the charity does to help those members of the local community who are financially or socially disadvantaged or who have suddenly been faced with financial pressures.

The cause may be due to them being unable to qualify for a mainstream bank account or their circumstances having suddenly changed. This could be as a result of a breakdown in a relationship, sickness, both physical and mental, bereavement or redundancy, all of which can have a dramatic financial effect on individuals and their families.

Community Savings offers practical solutions by the provision of basic accounts, pre-paid debit cards, loans or grants for urgently required items, budgeting and on-going financial mentoring, with the collective aim of improving the lives of individuals and their families through financial inclusivity and empowerment.

Brian Curtis, Executive Chairman of Community Savings, says: “We are very pleased to be working with Santander International. The work we do is vital in helping those who are struggling to get their finances and, subsequently, their lives back on track. It benefits not only the individual and their families, but also society in general. As a Jersey registered charity, we are hugely reliant on grants and donations and the support that Santander International is providing is invaluable, especially during these difficult times.”

James Pountney, Chief Executive Officer from Santander International added: “Community Savings brings financial inclusion for many Islanders who aren’t able to access products and services from regular high-street banks. We’re looking forward to working with Community Savings, helping them to raise their profile, so more people in our community can access and benefit from their services.”

UBS Wealth Management is pleased to announce two internal promotions within their Private Clients team – Joe Peacock and John Pipon have both moved from Client Advisor Assistants to Client Advisors.

Joe, who joined UBS in 2017, will further develop wealth management business with local intermediaries including trust companies whilst John, who’s had over 4 years’ experience at UBS, will help to consolidate UBS as the wealth manager of choice for Jersey residents.

Joe and John previously studied at the Jersey International Business School where they each achieved 1^stClass Hons in International Financial Services (BSc) and the similarities don’t end there as both are proud to be taking part in “Movember”, joining other members of the Private Client team in the challenge to grow a moustache throughout November to raise funds and awareness for men’s health.

Joe said: “UBS is a fantastic place to work and I am really excited about this promotion. I am looking forward to working with our local intermediaries and developing relationships with my new clients.”

John said: “UBS has really encouraged me with the development of my career. I am grateful for the support and advice that I have received from the senior client advisors over the years and I am thrilled about this brilliant opportunity.”

Michael Clarke, Head of Private Clients, added: “We take great pride at UBS in offering career development and rewarding the hard work and dedication that we see from our staff. It is always a pleasure to be able to promote internally and both Joe and John thoroughly deserve this recognition.”

Jersey residents log an incredible 106,592km in support of Mind Jersey in the RBC SLT Community Challenge unlocking a £40,000 donation to Mind Jersey’s Youthful Minds Group

And RBC announces an exciting new initiative…

Following an incredible three weeks of activity on the island, Royal Bank of Canada (RBC) is delighted to unlock a £40,000 donation to Mind Jersey’s Youthful Minds Group as the RBC Super League Triathlon (SLT) Community Challenge exceeds all targets.

Islanders of all ages from schools, clubs and businesses came together to swim, bike, run and walk their way to the ambitious goal set by RBC, keeping alive the spirit of SLT, which was unable to go ahead this year.

After the original target of 20,000km was smashed in the first week of the 20 day challenge, RBC upped the ante by pledging to double their £20,000 donation if islanders were able to register a collective 100,000km. Thanks to the community coming together this was achieved!

The end of this virtual challenge marks what would have been the fourth holding of RBC Super League Triathlon Jersey; hosting elite athletes participating in the Super League Triathlon and engaging the Jersey community through RBC Race for the Kids, all whilst supporting the important work Mind Jersey’s Youth Minds Group does for young people on the island.

Super League Triathlon CEO, Michael D’hulst, said: “The RBC SLT Community Challenge has been a remarkable collective effort. While we were obviously disappointed not to be in Jersey holding our event this year, the way people have been inspired to work together as a community, and the resulting donation to Mind Jersey from RBC, has delivered a massive positive in a difficult year.

 “I would like to thank RBC and all of our partners who have backed this event and made it possible, and especially the people of Jersey who have again shown their commitment and dedication to health and wellbeing and supporting each other as a community.”

Dr. Patricia Tumelty, Executive Director of Mind Jersey, said: “This ambitious endeavor will have a huge impact on so many children and young people in Jersey whose lives have been severely disrupted in so many different ways as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. We are very grateful to RBC and SLT for their support and the incredible efforts of the Jersey community in working so hard to secure this donation.”

David Bailey, Chief Operating Officer, RBC said: “The past three weeks have been an extraordinary demonstration of our community coming together to support Mind Jersey. The work the charity does on the island is invaluable to so many and I am beyond proud of the dedication from everyone who took part.

“As this fantastic initiative draws to a close, I am thrilled to announce that the RBC Race for the Kids is going virtual this year in Jersey and around the world on 17-18 October. With the aim of being the largest global virtual race in history, I have no doubt that islanders will once again lace up their trainers and raise more vital funds for Mind Jersey. For information and to sign-up, please visit www.rbcraceforthekids.com.”

As nurseries open their doors again, many young children and parents in Jersey will be better prepared to hit the ground running, after thousands took part in an innovative project to build their home-learning skills in language, literacy and communication.

In the last four years, the Jersey Early Childhood Development Programme’s literacy work has reached over 2,300 pre-school age children across Jersey, and encouraged 1,956 parents to create rich home-learning environments for their little ones.

Early literacy is just one element of an ambitious programme coordinated by the National Children’s Bureau in partnership with the Jersey Child Care Trust and funded by UBS Optimus Foundation UK.

The Jersey Early Childhood Development Programme has also brought internationally renowned speakers to the island to share the latest thinking with local staff, trained 282 early years workers on supporting early literacy, and helped States of Jersey officials to introduce a new method for measuring and improving impact.

The first phase of the programme has delivered impressive results and an external evaluation by the Centre for Research in Early Childhood indicates the programme has either met, or exceeded expectations. Well over three quarters¹ of local parents who took part, said the programme had increased their confidence to support their children’s literacy and learning.

One local parent explained the impact on their child: “We can see the difference in our child’s language, stories, patience, self-organisation, concentration, there is more interaction, he is more confident and less judgemental.”

Anthony Donnatelli, Head of Philanthropy UK at UBS confirmed:

“The UBS Optimus Foundation believes that all children deserve every opportunity to grow and thrive. We are really pleased to see the positive results that have been achieved in Jersey through the hard work and commitment of local parents and early years staff. We remain committed to this programme and are currently working on seeking funding for the next phase.”

Annamarie Hassall MBE, Director of Practice, Programmes and Fundraising at the National Children’s Bureau, added:

“During lockdown and the closure of local nurseries, we saw how important it is to be able to provide learning opportunities at home. Thanks to this programme, many Jersey parents were ahead of the game when the pandemic struck. We are delighted with the achievements of local people and are planning to continue this excellent work to keep the momentum going and reach even more children across the Island.”

LGL is delighted to welcome Steve McKenna to the Group as Head of Debt, deepening LGL’s alternative asset solutions.

Steve will be responsible for the development and growth of LGL’s Debt offering, focusing on private debt funds, capital markets and agency services.

Steve has more than 15 years of financial services experience and specialises in the establishment and administration of private debt and capital market transactions, having held a number of senior roles with a large jurisdictional scope.

Steve will be based in LGL’s Luxembourg office, working with the existing team to further strengthen LGL’s service offering in this jurisdiction.

John Pirouet – Chief Executive Officer, LGL Group: “We are delighted to welcome Steve to the Group as our Head of Debt. Steve brings with him a wealth of knowledge in the Debt sector and has a huge amount of international experience.

Steve will ensure our multi-jurisdictional debt offering is best placed to service our ever-growing client base. As a Group, Steve’s appointment continues to demonstrate LGL’s commitment to its staff and clients and takes the Group’s offering from strength to strength. I very much look forward to working with him.”

Zena Couppey – Chief Commercial Officer, LGL Group: “I am thrilled that Steve has joined LGL as our Head of Debt. Having the opportunity to work with him again, growing LGL’s Debt offering is something I am looking forward to.

Steve’s relocation to Luxembourg comes at a critical time, providing us with exceptional experience in this key jurisdiction”.

Stephen McKenna – Head of Debt, LGL Group: “I am excited to be joining LGL Group and look forward to growing our debt business. I have been incredibly impressed by the group’s leadership team and share their values and aspirations to develop a high quality sustainable business within this increasingly important alternative asset class.”

UBS Jersey is pleased to welcome a new Business Manager, Jennifer Lay.

Prior to the move to UBS, Jennifer worked as a Change Management Consultant at MasonBreese in Jersey, working with clients in both private and public sectors. She has 9 years’ experience in both the UK and Jersey, across a variety of sectors with a strong focus on Project Management throughout.

Joining the company at the same time as the lockdown in Jersey began has been a challenging start for Jennifer. Her first major role for the company has been providing support for the significant task of moving all staff to remote working, and helping to ensure coordinated teams are fully operational to reduce the impact to the business.

Jennifer says: ‘It wasn’t exactly how I had planned to start my new job, but the whole team has been welcoming and helpful at what is a difficult time for everyone. Working with people who can still find the time to support a new starter when they are already busy trying to manage an unprecedented situation has shown me that I have made the right move to a fantastic organisation.’

Tom Hill, Group Country Head for UBS Jersey commented: ‘We are delighted to welcome Jennifer to the team. Her help in moving our business into remote working has been invaluable and we will continue to use Jennifer’s experience to help UBS deliver excellence to our customers both during this challenging period and beyond.’