Jersey Appoints Harbours And Airport Oversight Board

by Jason Gorringe, Tax-News.com, London

10 November 2010

Jersey's Minister for Economic Development (EDD), Alan Maclean on November 3 announced the appointment of a new board to oversee all aspects of Jersey Harbours and Jersey Airport activity.

The formation of the board came after the proposal was approved by the States of Jersey on July 6. The body is to have the following objectives:

• To define the optimum operational and governance structure and make recommendations to the Minister for Economic Development to implement changes as necessary;
• To strengthen governance and good practice in all areas of harbour and airport operations;
• To challenge and support the executive teams;
• To develop strategy and business operations and ensure they are subject to rigorous independent commercial challenge in a manner which enhances governance at a pivotal time;
• To protect the interests of Jersey Airport and Jersey Harbours in moving towards the aims and objectives agreed by the States of Jersey;
• To ensure trading operations meets the aim of being self-funding and sustainable; and,
• To undertake other appropriate roles agreed with the Minister.

Charles Clarke has been apppointed as the Chair of the Board. A retired chartered accountant with 30 years' employment with KPMG in London, Malaysia and Jersey, Clarke was, before retiring, a KPMG Senior Partner of the Channel Island firm and Chairman of KPMG's grouping of firms in offshore jurisdictions. He is also President of the Jersey branch of the Institute of Directors, among other similar appointments.

According to the proposals, board meetings are to be attended by the Airport Director and Chief Executive of Jersey Airport, the island's harbour masters, and the finance directors of both bodies.

Welcoming the imposition of the board as a positive development for Jersey's aviation and marine industries, Maclean commented:

“I am very pleased that the appointment process has delivered a Shadow Board with great strength and depth. Both Jersey Harbours and Jersey Airport face significant challenges as they seek to combine their role as the island’s strategic transport assets with sustainable commercial operations. I am confident that both organisations, working with the Shadow Board and the EDD Ministerial team, are well placed to rise to the challenge and deliver success.”

For his part, Clarke added:

“I am delighted to have the chance to work with such capable executive and non-executive teams in the further development of these key strategic assets."

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