Guernsey’s Competitive Edge in a Changing World

At JTC, Stronger Together is more than a tagline, it is central to our high performing culture and collaboration.

That ethos was on full display at the recent Guernsey Funds Forum, where innovation, opportunity, and shared ambition converged.

With an agenda dominated by artificial intelligence (AI), regulatory evolution, and investor agility, the event reinforced Guernsey’s role as a dynamic hub for global fund services. It also provided a welcome balance of incisive content and meaningful networking, echoing the industry’s appetite for partnership in an age of rapid transformation.

UK’s Long-Term Investment Ambition and Guernsey’s Strategic Opportunity

From the outset, the tone was set by the Lord Mayor of London, Alastair King, who underlined the UK’s ambition to funnel greater long-term investment into private markets.

His reference to the Mansion House Accord spoke to the scale of capital poised to reshape the private investment landscape. For jurisdictions like Guernsey, this represents a major opportunity, provided we continue to enable access with the right blend of oversight and flexibility.

Enhancing Market Responsiveness

The launch of the updated Private Investment Fund (PIF) regime is a case in point. By removing the audit requirement, opening eligibility to a wider range of private investors, and enabling both open and closed-ended structures, the revised PIF offers a pragmatic, swift, and market-responsive fund solution.

With a new online portal promising 25-hour turnaround times, Guernsey is walking the walk when it comes to speed-to-market – a major asset for fund managers seeking agility without sacrificing substance.

AI and the Future of Fund Services

AI featured heavily throughout the agenda, most memorably through insights from Steven Hillion of Astronomer Inc, whose ground-level view from San Francisco was as sobering as it was stimulating.

Generative AI is ubiquitous, yet profitability remains elusive – a stark reminder of the longer-term evolution still required in digital infrastructure and business models.

His perspective added nuance to a common theme across the conference: innovation must be grounded in practical application, and jurisdictions must be prepared to support that responsibly.

Industry Panel Insights

Panel 1 echoed Hillion’s thoughts, which brought together voices from VC, foodtech, agri-robotics, and digital infrastructure. Participants like Cibus Capital and RTW Investments reinforced the value of disciplined, tech-enabled growth strategies.

Guernsey’s own track record – including early leadership in Green Funds – was held up as an example of regulation that encourages innovation without creating unnecessary friction.

Panel 2 drilled into what gives Guernsey its enduring edge. The good user experience was noted and the adaptability of Guernsey to chart a path between financial stability and growth driven reform

A key insight was the ability to “tick the jurisdictional box” matters. Guernsey’s practical approach to AML, flexible structures like co-invest vehicles, and proven use of NPPR into Europe all position the island strongly.

Networking and Market Enthusiasm

As always, some of the most valuable takeaways came through side conversations. From reconnecting with Raw Capital Partners and exploring digital healthcare applications with Nexus, to engaging with administrators, insurers, and fund platforms – the ecosystem was fully present.

The enthusiasm around the PIF, particularly from newer market entrants, underlines how important it is that Guernsey continues to articulate its advantages clearly and confidently.

In a world where speed, substance, and scale matter more than ever, Guernsey is proving that regulation and innovation don’t have to be at odds. The updated PIF and the jurisdiction’s responsiveness to market trends are clear indicators of that.

The event concluded with Professor Hannah Fry focusing on AI and how we can still learn from the animal kingdom. Her talk reminded me of the JTC animals, their shapes made from hundreds of butterflies which together take on a new and profound image.

It was a suitable ending to a day dedicated to the new, the original and the improvements that can be made.

Ready to Launch Your Fund in Guernsey?

If you’re considering launching a fund, entering new asset classes, or simply want to move faster without compromising on governance, now is the time to engage.

At JTC, we’re proud to support this vision and help clients capitalise on the opportunities it presents.

Contact Kobus Cronje or Simon Gordon directly or visit jtcgroup.com to explore how we can help.