Dedicated service to the island recognised with OBE
FORMER chief minister Peter Harwood is awarded the OBE for his services to Guernsey.
Advocate Harwood has been a trusted adviser to local business leaders, government and the third sector for many years.
As chairman of the Guernsey Financial Services Commission from 2006-11, he worked to safeguard Guernsey’s international reputation as a finance centre while helping to keep the island competitive and compliant with international standards.
He said he was flabbergasted at his recognition from The Queen.
‘I feel very humbled that people have taken the time and effort to put my name forward,’ he said. ‘I’m very conscious that in all my roles I’ve been supported by such able, willing and talented people.’
Advocate Harwood was born and brought up in Guernsey. After studying at Elizabeth College, he went to Southampton University. Having qualified as a UK solicitor, he worked in London for 10 years before returning to Guernsey in 1981 when he joined the law firm, Ozanne, Van Leuven, Perrot & Evans. He was called to the Guernsey Bar in February 1982.
His service to the island in the following years has been long and highly respected.
In the 1990s, as a voluntary member of the States of Guernsey Policy Group, he led a two-year study that produced a review of the island’s machinery of government, which bears his name. He was elected to the States in 2012 and served for one term.
For four years from 2016, he was a non-voting member on the Scrutiny Committee and currently holds the same position on Home Affairs.
Last year he was chosen to lead the implementation of the States of Guernsey Justice Strategy, which includes future sentencing policy.
Since 2017 he has been chairman of Guernsey Victim Support and Witness Service, which has benefited from his leadership and innovation.
He is a founder and trustee of the Help a Guernsey Child charity and in 2018 launched Carers Guernsey LBG which supports unpaid carers in the Bailiwick.
Advocate Harwood has been married to Morna since 1974 and they have three adult children, who all live in London, and two grandchildren.
