Jersey and the GCC: An Enduring Partnership in the Gulf

With a career in financial services spanning four decades, Joe has a strong commitment to the future success of the industry in Jersey.

Joe commenced his professional life in the banking sector, rising to the position of CEO of Jersey and the Isle of Man for a major bank, which included responsibilities for trusts and investments. In recent years, he expanded his focus as Director of Financial Services within the Government of Jersey, where he worked closely with industry and regulator to ensure the island’s position as a leading international finance centre. Before joining Jersey Finance in February 2019, Joe was working to establish high-reputation regulatory frameworks and business models for IFCs in the Middle East and Africa. He was recently appointed as a board director of the World Alliance of International Finance Centers (WAIFC).

Born in Liverpool, Allan has more than 25 years’ financial service experience in Jersey and the UK.

As Global Head of Business Development, Allan is responsible for overseeing the promotion of Jersey as a leading international finance centre across key strategic overseas markets including Africa, the Gulf region, Asia, the US and the UK.

Allan joined Jersey Finance in 2015 as Business Development Director, before being promoted to Regional Head – West, where he was responsible for overseeing the Africa, US and UK markets.

Prior to Jersey Finance, Allan spent five years with Barclays in Jersey, where he was Vice President and leader of the Jersey International business within Barclays Wealth & Investment Management division. Before this, he spent 20 years with Royal Bank of Scotland.

A keen runner in his spare time, Allan successfully completed the London Marathon in 2014 and 2016, while he is also Chairman of The Grace Crocker Family Support Foundation, a Director of Jersey 2 Africa 4 Football Foundation, and an advisor to the Cherie Blair Foundation’s 100,000 Women Campaign Board.

Faizal is a UK qualified lawyer and for many years has worked and advised, and is a trusted advisor to institutions, corporates and families across the Middle East, Africa and India. Faizal specialises in banking and finance and has advised corporates, family offices and families including on their international investment and holding structures.

Faizal is responsible for developing the strategy for Jersey Finance’s engagement in Africa, the Middle East and India. He is focussed on his key markets, regularly travelling to all these countries, liaising and working with key stakeholders, including public and private institutions, corporates and families, building long-term mutually beneficial relationships.

An joined Jersey Finance in May 2016 as the Business Development Director for Asia and is now based in our Middle East Regional Hub office, in the DIFC in Dubai.

An studied law in Belgium at the University of Leuven including one Erasmus exchange year at Queen Mary and Westfield College in London. She subsequently did an LLM in international business law at Trinity College Dublin.

An qualified as a lawyer in Belgium before moving to Dublin to work in the international business team of the law firm Matheson. In 2009, she went to work for ATC Corporate Services in Luxembourg as a corporate lawyer and later as a business unit manager. After a shareholding change in 2013, ATC Corporate Services merged with the Intertrust Group. An joined the Intertrust Hong Kong office in 2014 as a business unit director for the European and the Private Equity team.

Senator Ian Gorst was elected as Jersey’s External Relations Minister in June 2018. First elected to the States Assembly in 2005, Senator Gorst served as Social Security Minister from 2008-2011. He served concurrently as Chair of the Jersey Overseas Aid Commission. Senator Gorst served as Chief Minister from 2011-2018 representing Jersey on the international stage, boosting the island’s reputation in the EU and promoting the financial services sector. Senator Gorst is an accountant with significant experience in private client, private equity and retail fund sectors. Married to Dionne, they have two daughters, Sophia & Lily-Mim. Senator Gorst is involved in the church, has a keen interest in overseas development and has travelled with his wife to participate in Jersey Overseas Aid Commission projects. He is also an Honorary Fellow of UNICEF UK.

Arshi Ayub Zaveri is dedicated to 15 years of professional experience in active partnerships that necessitate sub-structuring of strategic initiations, economic & political management, business & financial aid along with overall assistance for the MENA & Asia Pacific in organizations and family offices. Has completed academic credentials in Public Policy Economics from University of Oxford. As the CEO of Trust with Trade Group LLC, spearheading Chemical Manufacturing units, Mining assets, investments in Biotechnology and Neuroscience. Additionally, is a Senior Advisor to the Royal Family Office in Abu Dhabi, Board Member of the Al Suwaidi Group and Abu Dhabi Arts Society, Founder & CEO and Oxygenate Global, Chairperson Global Philanthropy UK, Board Advisor to several social, political and peace initiatives globally. Passionate about encouraging ventures of Social entrepreneurship, impact investing & women led startups.

Amit Kansal is the Group Chief Strategy Officer and Head of Family Office at RP Group of Companies, a diversified conglomerate with operations across Middle East, Asia, USA and Australia employing over 80,000 people in various verticals that comprise of Construction & Infrastructure, Real Estate Development, Hotels & Hospitality, Travel & Tourism, Healthcare, Education, Information Technology and Trading & Retail. Starting as the Chief Investment Officer, Amit advanced to lead Group’s Strategic expansion and re-structuring, Legacy Planning, Family Office function as well as Corporate Finance. He especially focusses on Group’s interest in PE & VC globally, and has lead the creation of a global technology businesses vertical in the Group. Before joining RP Group of Companies in 2016, Amit spent 8 years at Citibank, N.A., heading Wealth Management Business for the bank with GCC coverage (Ex-UAE).

Heather has over 20 years’ experience in the UHNW sector and is responsible for the Family Office Services business. She is a member of Crestbridge’s Executive team with input to the strategic direction and expansion of the business. She has worked with UHNWIs, their families and institutions to provide a comprehensive range of family office services to families and corporate clients based in multiple jurisdictions. Heather also manages the new joint venture, Crestbridge Fiduciary LLC, a US joint venture with Willow Street. Heather is a lawyer by background and is named on ePrivatecllient’s 50 Most Influential List, 2021, 2020 and 2019. The prestigious list recognises and celebrates the most prominent and accomplished professionals working in the finance industry in the UK and British Crown Dependencies. She is also the winner of Citywealth's Powerwoman Awards Woman of the Year - Director (Financial Organisation) 2021.

Akram Okeili is a seasoned management advisor with more than 15 years in the Family Business Advisory domain. In addition to being a leader in emerging market strategy, he is a veteran Family Business Expert, Ultra-affluent Individuals Advisor, a Governance & Restructuring Expert and a savvy Investment Banker. Akram has over 15 years of US, European and regional experience in management consulting, private equity and investment banking with a substantial focus on Family Business strategic initiatives spanning various industries.

Scott is a partner in Deloitte’s Middle East valuation practice. He specializes in the valuation of businesses and assets for a variety of contexts including M&A, disputes, restructurings, financial reporting, and for regulatory purposes. He has advised many leading family offices, SWFs, and prominent listed and private companies across the Middle East and Australia. Scott is a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) and has a first class honors degree in Mathematics and Finance.