New Herm tenants vow to keep it open to all

A DEAL to sell Herm will be completed on Tuesday.

The island's new owner is Starboard Settlement, a trust that provides financial support for charities in the developing world.

Starboard has agreed to buy the 40-year lease for an undisclosed sum 'substantially less' than the £15m. guide price.

A new Guernsey company, Herm Island Ltd, which is controlled by Guernsey resident John Singer, 64, has been set up to run the island.

Along with wife Julia, Mr Singer will move to Herm next Wednesday to take over as island managers from Adrian and Pennie Heyworth, who have run Herm for the past 28 years. Mr Singer, who has lived in Guernsey since 1990, is Starboard's investment manager and will be responsible to the trustees for all activities in Herm.

He promised to ensure that the island remained the jewel in the Bailiwick's crown.