Secondments are 'good for staff and the island'

GUERNSEY'S finance industry is benefiting from an increase in the number of people gaining international work experience here. Guernsey International Business Association chairman Steve Le Page said more and more staff were now undertaking financial sector secondments.

Mr Le Page, partner in charge at PricewaterhouseCoopers in Guernsey, said he had noticed the trend, which is long established at his firm, catching on with other employers.

So far this year, PwC's Guernsey office has seen 11 staff undertake secondments, with employees either relocating from Guernsey to work at one of the firm's international offices, or coming to the island from abroad.

The number of employees ordinarily based here choosing to undertake secondments at one of the international offices has nearly doubled over the last two years. However, the number of staff electing to come to the Guernsey office to gain work experience has risen even more, nearly trebling since 2005.

'There are a large number of firms in Guernsey with an international dynamic and the potential to reap the benefits of offering secondment opportunities and they are certainly something that we encourage at PwC.

'Both the business and employee benefit from the crucial skills secondees gain and bring back to Guernsey as a result of their experiences. Multiplied across a number of businesses, it has the potential to be significantly positive for the wider industry.'

He said the impression that Guernsey was also able to offer valuable working experience to secondees was also fantastic news for the island, and reflective of Guernsey's status and reputation as a quality finance centre on the international stage.

Adrian and Joanne Peacegood, senior managers at PwC, are evidence of the benefits to be reaped, having both recently returned from two years on secondment in Canada.

Having both started to work for PwC in 1999, the couple, who are now married, worked their way up the ladder in the firm's assurance business, reaching manager level in 2004. They then decided to transfer to the downtown Toronto office.

A new location, accounting rules, people and culture brought fresh challenges and, after two years in Canada, both were promoted to the position of senior manager. Mrs Peacegood said that as a result of the secondment, they had gained experience and knowledge that they had brought back to Guernsey.

'I had always wanted to work in another country. Working in other offices is a great opportunity to improve your own profile within the firm, while experiencing the massive difference between the Canadian lifestyle and working environment and that of the Channel Islands has been a huge benefit.

'My time abroad has undoubtedly given me confidence in my abilities and reassured me that Guernsey is the place I want to work.'