Economic Development ‘has right skills’
A TEAM of newly-elected States members joined Economic Development president Neil Inder after his four chosen candidates were all given backing.
Deputies Sasha Kazantseva-Miller, Simon Vermeulen, Steve Falla and Nick Moakes were all seconded by Deputy David Mahoney.
Two alternative candidates were put forward in the form of Deputies Chris Blin and David De Lisle, proposed by Deputies Carl Meerveld and John Gollop respectively.
‘What I have put together is a team with obvious communication and business skills,’ said Deputy Inder. ‘A broad range of interests and backgrounds that touch on every aspect of Guernsey’s industry, from construction, transport, retail, digital, travel and education.’
Deputy Kazantseva-Miller gave a brief but detailed summary of her all-round business background, which included working for Google and hotel booking site Agoda.com.
‘Most recently, I have taken a keen interest in sustainability and the opportunity of marrying the transition to a clean and green economy with sustainable economic prosperity,’ she said.
As someone who set up his own small award-winning business in communications and public relations, Deputy Steve Falla said he ‘got’ promotional agencies, and Economic Development was responsible for several.
He reiterated his election campaign promise to champion measures to fast-track the revival of the island’s economy. ‘It needs to be buoyant to help fund an inclusive community that provides everyone living in Guernsey with what we need.’
A former hotelier, who owned La Grande Mare Country Club and its 18-hole golf course, Deputy Vermeulen said he was not a financier or economist, but ‘someone of sound judgment, courage and ambition’.
He wanted to take on the position to provide the skills and experience of tourism, construction, retail and ‘those that are just about managing’.
Deputy Moakes had spent more than 25 years working in London for major companies, including Visa and American Express, and said he was used to working with senior decision-makers.
But he was not afraid to challenge where he felt the need to do so, he said.
Voting was: Deputy Falla, 27 votes; Deputy Vermeulen, 25; Deputy Moakes, 24; Deputy Kazantseva-Miller, 24; Deputy Blin, 23; Deputy De Lisle, 6.
