Lawyer needed to get 'the right mix' of commissioners

A search for a lawyer to become a commissioner for the Guernsey Financial Services Commission has been defended by the States.

A number of industry voices have expressed concerns that an advert for a new commissioner is so specific in seeking a lawyer.

Some have argued that the appointment is seeking a replacement for industry representative Paul Meader, who resigned shortly after he was appointed at the beginning of the year.

His appointment, along with that of Bob Moore, pictured, a fellow former president of the Guernsey International Business Association, was lauded by the regulated sectors.

However former GFSC chairman Peter Harwood, a senior lawyer, also retired from the commission at around the same time and it appears that the States and the commission have agreed to replace his expertise as the seventh, and final, commissioner.