Skip to main content

A new chapter for SPF Private Clients

After almost 30 years at the same address, SPF Private Clients is embarking on an exciting new chapter. For managing director Pierre Blampied, the move reflects a business that continues to evolve while staying true to its roots.

SPF Private Clients managing director Pierre Blampied.
SPF Private Clients managing director Pierre Blampied. / Sophie Rabey/Guernsey Press

The business has relocated from its long-standing home in Berthelot Street to new premises at Harbour House on South Esplanade, bringing it together with fellow Howden colleagues under one roof and creating space for future growth.

While a change of address on this scale is significant, the reasons behind the move were straightforward.

‘Our lease was coming to an end and, because we’re part of the Howden group, it made sense for us and one of our sister companies to move into the same premises,’ said Mr Blampied. ‘Sharing facilities helps keep costs down and gives us a much better working environment.’

The relocation offered an opportunity to reflect on how much both the business and the wider financial services industry have changed since SPF opened its doors nearly three decades ago.

‘The mortgage industry has changed enormously,’ he said. ‘What’s surprising is that, despite all the advances in technology, arranging a mortgage can sometimes take longer today than it did 25 years ago because of the additional compliance and regulatory requirements.’

SPF Private Clients has relocated to Harbour House on South Esplanade.
SPF Private Clients has relocated to Harbour House on South Esplanade. / Sophie Rabey/Guernsey Press

The move itself could easily have become a logistical headache. Instead, support from Howden’s wider property and IT teams ensured a smooth transition.

In fact, Mr Blampied was on holiday while much of the relocation took place.

‘It was slightly strange arriving at a completely different office after so many years in the same place,’ he said.

What has not changed is the company’s commitment to helping islanders navigate some of life’s biggest financial decisions. Since its launch in 1997, SPF has helped thousands of Channel Islanders secure finance, arranging more than £2bn of lending across the islands.

For Mr Blampied, however, the numbers only tell part of the story.

‘We’ve helped grandparents, then their children and now their grandchildren,’ he said. ‘That’s something we’re incredibly proud of.’

‘The personal relationships we’ve built with clients remain at the heart of what we do.’
‘The personal relationships we’ve built with clients remain at the heart of what we do.’ / Sophie Rabey/Guernsey Press

Those long-standing relationships remain central to the business, even as it continues to evolve. Today, SPF’s services extend beyond mortgages and life insurance, while the wider Howden group gives clients access to additional expertise across general insurance which is undertaken by Ben Meader and Matt de la Mare.

‘Being part of a larger organisation gives us access to specialist knowledge when we need it,’ said Mr Blampied. ‘But we’re still very much a locally-run business focused on local clients.’

The new office reflects that balance. While the modern facilities provide a more comfortable environment for staff and visitors alike, the move is also about bringing expertise together and creating a stronger platform for future growth.

The business has already recruited another member of staff and now has room to expand further as opportunities arise.

Looking ahead, Mr Blampied is optimistic.

‘We’ve grown significantly over the years, but the personal relationships we’ve built with clients remain at the heart of what we do,’ he said.

For a business approaching its third decade, Harbour House is more than a new address. It is a symbol of how SPF Private Clients continues to adapt and grow while remaining true to the values that have underpinned its success from the very beginning.

Related  Business

You need to be logged in to comment.