Jersey Finance, the agency representing the financial sector in Jersey, has announced it is “ramping up its capabilities across the Middle East and India region” by adding senior business development resources to its activities in the United Arab Emirates.

Jersey Finance, the agency representing the financial sector in Jersey, has announced it is “ramping up its capabilities across the Middle East and India region” by adding senior business development resources to its activities in the United Arab Emirates.

Charlie Barlow and Gary Hales have both been appointed business development directors to cover the GCC states and India. Both men will be based in the UAE, which will provide them with a regional springboard for Jersey Finance’s business development activities in the UAE, other GCC states and India.

The moves are an example of how IFCs such as Jersey see the Middle East region, and others, as important sources of business to diversify from more traditional sources of business, such as the UK and continent of Europe.

Barlow has worked with private clients across Hong Kong and the GCC region. His banking career included time with HSBC and Bank of Singapore and most recently he was providing consultancy services to several GCC family offices.

Hales, who joined Jersey Finance in 2012 from HSBC, moves into his new role having previously been responsible for business development in Africa, Russia, Europe and the UK.
In support of Jersey Finance’s ramped-up programme, Jersey’s assistant chief minister senator Philip Ozouf, who has specific responsibility for financial services, digital, competition and innovation, is visiting the UAE this month to further bolster Jersey’s governmental links with the UAE and give a keynote address at Jersey Finance’s Asia Roadshow event at The Address Dubai Mall on 26 November.