Stuart Falla 'in turmoil' as he quits two public sector roles

He resigned as chairman of the States’ development agency and as a member of the States’ Trading Supervisory Board just weeks after the collapse of the Garenne Group, RG Falla and other companies which he founded or previously ran.

‘The past few months have been a period of some emotional turmoil for me and my family as a result of the demise of the group that I helped to create,’ said Mr Falla.

‘Even though I stepped down from being a director seven years ago, seeing the group fall apart as a result of Covid-related inflation has been like losing a close family member.

‘I have therefore been taking stock recently of whether the time is right for me personally to fully commit myself over the next three years to the very big undertaking that is the establishment of the development agency.’

The Guernsey Press revealed last week that the States had severely cut back the role and budget of the agency for at least the next 18 months.

It was originally given an annual budget of £500,000 and three full-time staff posts to kick-start ambitious development projects along the east coast. But its budget has now been slashed to just £100,000 a year and it has been told it will have no staff and be restricted largely to research and administrative tasks for the rest of this year and all of next year.

Mr Falla said he still believed the development agency could play a key role developing the island’s economy.

‘I believe it is essential to have such an independent body if Guernsey is going to be serious about maintaining a strong economy for the coming generations.

‘Now is an opportunity for new, fresh talent to take this project forward and build it into something truly game-changing,’ he said.

Mr Falla was selected as chairman in July last year.

Since then, he and two interim directors have been paid a total of £30,000 between them. He was due to be paid £25,000 a year for the role if the States ratified the agency’s full board this summer.

Policy & Resources Committee president Peter Ferbrache paid tribute to Mr Falla’s ‘insight and intelligence’ and ‘deep passion’ for the island.

‘I would like to thank Stuart for the invaluable experience he has brought to his roles with the States. We have been very fortunate to have someone with his exceptional experience and proven track record working with us for the benefit of the community,’ said Deputy Ferbrache.

As a member of the States’ Trading Supervisory Board, Mr Falla chaired sub-groups overseeing the island’s ports and dairy.

‘His contribution has been quite exceptional and he has played a big part in developing the STSB since its inception,’ said the board’s president Peter Roffey.

‘It’s been a pleasure to work alongside Stuart and to see him apply his immense experience, energy and knowledge to the benefit of the people of Guernsey.’