Andrew Niles: ‘Our storied past informs our future ambitions’

I love Guernsey; I always have, especially on days like today. The sun is shining, the sky is blue, a cool breeze is blowing, and birds are singing by my window.

We all know it’s not always like this. We have dark winters, howling gales, cold, dry easterlies, and wet Atlantic winds. Whatever the weather and whatever the changes, I love Guernsey. I was born and schooled here, and when I worked overseas, I returned every year for family weddings, funerals, and good times with friends.

We sometimes consider Guernsey a constant, but it has constantly been changing. Only the timeframes remain the same. Looking backwards at the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries, we might recognise that we’re now approaching another crossroads in time with all the uncertainty, change and opportunity it will bring.

We’re a small island with a rich tapestry of history, a robust educational framework, and a tightly knit community. We’ve always punched above our weight, blending our unique heritage with forward-looking ambition.

Today, as the world races toward an era of technological innovation, sustainability and global connectivity, Guernsey stands at a crossroads. In doing so, we should find comfort that our storied past deeply informs our future ambitions. Still, we must also be prepared for change by redoubling our commitment to education and our community’s resilience.

To achieve our future ambitions, we must stay focused on what is important: family, a home, community, our health, education, our future, and yes, balancing the books. Our success will be measured in our preparations for change and ensuring good decisions are made quickly by people who care for our island.

This article explores how these three pillars: education, community and informed decisions will shape Guernsey’s aspirations in the years ahead.

A historical foundation for progress

Guernsey’s history is characterised by adaptability and independence. Both will continue to define us. The island’s strategic location has made it a coveted prize throughout the centuries, from its role in historic trade routes to its occupation by German forces. Unlike many small territories, Guernsey has never been wholly subsumed by larger powers. It remains self-governing, with our own parliament and legal system. This legacy of autonomy has fostered a culture of self-reliance, which is evident in what we have now and perhaps in what we desire for our economic and social ambitions in the future.

Historically, in the 18th century, Guernsey’s economy thrived on quarrying, maritime industries, shipbuilding and privateering. By the 19th century, it had pivoted to horticulture, with tomatoes and flowers symbolising our agricultural ingenuity. In the 20th century, the island reinvented itself again, emerging as a global financial hub. As traditional industries like finance face disruption through digitisation and the adoption of artificial intelligence, this ability to adapt to changing circumstances will be the cornerstone of our future vision.

We should not doubt ourselves. Instead, we must step boldly into the future, knowing we possess the wit and resources to support our economy. By utilising our autonomy and agility, we can confidently advance, leveraging our knowledge through leaders who can make swift, sound and informed decisions. To achieve this, we must end isolated, siloed and divisive debates, building an informed States Assembly confident in all its decisions.

Education is a catalyst for ambition

If history provides the foundation, our future depends on skills. We must recognise the need to establish a clear strategy that supports young people as they embark on their journeys and those seeking career advancement and change. Harnessing their energy for the community’s benefit is essential. This strategy should be integrated into our entire educational ecosystem, utilising resources from both the States and the independent sector. Acknowledging that collaboratively leveraging both public and private funding is a more effective approach than focusing solely on separating the two.

Education will be the engine driving Guernsey’s future ambitions, and we need a sharper focus to harness our collective skills, unite us, and deliver essential services for ourselves. Our curriculum must emphasise critical thinking, digital literacy and entrepreneurship – skills that are vital for the 21st century. We should prioritise retaining talent. Historically, many young Guernsey residents left for higher education and careers elsewhere. Now the island must foster a vibrant local ecosystem that encourages them to return, creating initiatives like apprenticeships in emerging industries and incentives for young entrepreneurs who want to live here and participate. We must, therefore, develop purpose-built housing for our young people.

As a small island community, we have an advantage in education. With a population of just over 64,000, we can implement innovative policies quickly, tailoring education to meet community needs. We must provide digital up-skilling programmes for adults and prepare the workforce for future digital automation. By investing in education, Guernsey is cultivating a generation capable of leading the island into a sustainable, tech-savvy future.

The community: Guernsey’s heart and soul

At the heart of Guernsey’s future lies its community – a tight-knit, resilient group that has weathered literal and figurative storms. Our small size fosters a sense of tradition, and the annual festivals, horticultural shows and Liberation Day celebrations strengthen a shared sense of belonging.

Guernsey’s community plays a vital role in our economic ambitions. Our financial sector, which employs a significant portion of our workforce, thrives on the trust and relationships businesses have built with us and the values deeply embedded in our local culture. Businesses and people rely upon our integrity.

Future economic growth must align with the innovation of our value proposition, perhaps shifting from an administrative model to an increasingly advisory one supported by digital frameworks, better travel links and improved communications. We should not rely solely on increasing our workforce to boost our economy. Instead, we should enhance the value we place on our advice, focusing on the quality of our interactions with our clients instead of the quantity of time spent on them.

As Guernsey seeks to diversify its economy and workforce, we must take our community with us, ensuring that new growth aligns with our priorities and is not simply for monetary gain. We cannot take our culture for granted and must continue to tap into it. Alongside education, we must continually invest in healthcare and align services and costs with our means. Funding must match needs where they are needed most: no reckless spending and no operational drift.

Informed decision making

Guernsey’s future ambitions must be grounded in our historical adaptability, educational framework and community strength. These ambitions should be backed by a bright, decisive and compassionate elected leadership that can embrace the vision of our forefathers. A leadership that looks beyond the weeds and drudgery of the day-to-day.

Our business leaders understand that they must continually innovate to secure our future economy. In return, our elected Assembly must also innovate our decision-making framework. This government innovation must not distract from the tough decisions we make each month and should be managed in parallel. This future strategy must identify a better decision-making process in our Assembly – one that is more accountable, faster and more effective. It must be rooted in evidence and community input. Guernsey can’t afford paralysis when action is needed.

We must ensure that the relationship between our community, its representatives and our public service remains positive, enabling them to deliver a well-coordinated, efficient service that provides value for money to the people of Guernsey.

Our actions will drive our ambitions

Guernsey is truly a magical place. We must be confident and remember our journey through history. We must continuously invest in education and in developing infrastructure and services for our community. Our community will support our decisive actions in raising funds and innovating our processes only if these promises are kept.