Investment sparking economic confidence in island

Several acquisitions have been announced or completed in the last couple of weeks, and with the completion of developments including Victoria Park football ground there is a more positive mood spreading where just weeks ago there was gloom over comparisons with economic performance in Jersey.

‘There are big things happening in Guernsey – we need to have a positive attitude and not dwell on the negatives,’ said serial investor Jon Ravenscroft, who is now leading Ravenscroft Capital as a direct investment vehicle into local businesses.

‘Actions speak louder than words,' he said.

Richard Hemans, economics lead for the local branch of the Institute of Directors, was the man who highlighted the stark differences in GDP performance between the islands earlier this year.

‘None of this is cause for complacency, but taken together the recent wave of activity provides grounds for cautious optimism,’ he said.

‘For a jurisdiction often portrayed as steady but unremarkable, Guernsey has shown it retains the capacity to attract capital and to evolve.’

Mr Hemans described the uptick in activity as ‘a quiet shift in sentiment surrounding the economy’.

‘After months of reporting a subdued outlook and economic stagnation, a recent series of developments suggest that confidence – if not exuberance – is returning to the island.

‘A trio of high-profile acquisitions, combined with renewed investment in hospitality and transport, point to a growing belief in Guernsey’s economic potential.

‘Investment is not just a driver of growth – it is also a signal of confidence. Capital, particularly private capital, is rarely sentimental. It moves where it perceives opportunity, stability, and return.

‘When investors commit significant sums to a place, they are not merely responding to current conditions – they are expressing faith in the future. That expression, in turn, can embolden others.’

Read more in Monday’s Press.