As the year draws to a close, it’s a natural time to pause, reflect, and appreciate what’s been achieved – and look ahead to what’s next.
In this special year-end message, Stephen Rouxel, Guernsey Chamber President and Alice Gill, Executive Director, share personal reflections on key milestones, lessons learned, and hopes for the future.
Here’s a look at where we’ve been—and where we’re headed.
Stephen Rouxel, President
Looking back on this past year, I feel incredibly lucky to be in a role where advocating for Guernsey’s business community is at the heart of everything we do
It’s been a year of listening, learning, and pushing for progress – sometimes slowly, but always with purpose.
Recently, we’ve worked closely with key people across government and industry to tackle the issues that matter most to our members. Housing, air links, company law changes, and education have all been front and centre, with a sharp focus on two big priorities: People (the 2025 election) and Planet (getting Guernsey to net zero).
I’m especially proud of the strides we’ve made in making business banking more efficient and accessible—a project started by my predecessor, Diane de Garis. Seeing Guernsey finally introduce an electronic electoral roll this December is a huge win, removing a major hurdle for credit reference agencies and making things easier for local businesses.
At its core, Chamber is about the power of collaboration. This year, we brought together representatives from Guernsey’s business groups to explore how we can work together to build a better future. It’s a small island—but when we join forces, big things can happen.
Looking ahead to 2025, we’ll be sending out a joint survey to hear directly from members about where we should focus and where collaboration can drive real change. We’ll also use the findings to inform election candidates about what truly matters to businesses and the wider community.
As the election looms, it’s clear that our island needs more collaborative decision-making. Many people I’ve spoken with feel the quality of political decision-making could be better. That’s why we’ll keep pushing for open conversations and stronger partnerships between government, business, and the community.
There’s still plenty of work ahead, but with shared purpose and strong leadership, I’m optimistic we can make a real difference for Guernsey.
Chamber will be right here, bringing people together, sharing insights, and making sure your voices are heard.
Alice Gill, Executive Director
This year has been a whirlwind! With over 2,000 event attendees and 450+ members representing 10,000 employees, it’s been a busy and productive time for Chamber.
The focus remains on being the best place in Guernsey to do business and make meaningful connections.
Our policy priorities of People and Planet reflect a deep belief that the future of business depends on building a sustainable, people-centred economy. The evidence is clear—companies driven by these values see better returns, more engaged employees, and stronger loyalty. Doing the right thing isn’t just ethical—it’s smart business.
A standout moment for me was hosting the inspiring Mary Portas at our Gala Dinner in November. Her insights into purpose-driven business and sustainability perfectly aligned with our mission of fostering a business community that balances profit with positive social impact. I know many of our guests walked away that night feeling excited and charged about the possibilities for Guernsey.
As the 2025 election approaches, Chamber is more determined than ever to help businesses shape Guernsey’s future. Companies can drive change—sometimes more effectively than government—by embracing sustainable and forward-thinking business practices.
One way to take action is by signing up for the UN Global Compact, which offers practical support for SMEs looking to make meaningful progress toward sustainability.
By working together, we can create a thriving, sustainable business community while ensuring Guernsey remains a fantastic place to live and work.
There’s much to do—and we can’t wait to get started in 2025!
