AFTER 20 years at Kleinwort Benson, Sandra Platts is one of the most senior women in Guernsey finance. The 48-year-old has been appointed managing director of the Guernsey office, heading a team of 220, and has joined the five-strong executive committee for the Channel Islands. She is also head of operations, HR and IT.
‘I feel proud to have been involved for so long. Kleinwort Benson has always been very good at identifying talent and enabling people to grow in their career. The company does that very well,’ she said.
Channel Islands CEO Robert Taylor congratulated her on her appointment as both a director and member of the executive committee.
‘We had eight candidates for the committee position and Sandra shone as one of the best.’
He said her strengths were the ability to strategically manage the business as well as being the moral compass for the Guernsey office.
‘She has the wherewithal to integrate fully with all the staff and also the industry regulators holding the keys.’
She is married to Colin and they are in the process of selling their Jersey home before moving to Guernsey. Until then, Mrs Platts is commuting from the other island.
‘I have very much enjoyed what I have seen of Guernsey so far and am looking forward to moving.’
Mrs Platts began her life with the company as a back-office supervisor.
She attributed her progression to her ability to cope with change and a willingness to gain experience in many aspects of the organisation.
‘I have never stayed in one position too long. Gradually, I learned more and more about the organisation,’ she said.
She joined the Jersey branch in August 1986 and two years later was accepted onto the management training programme. It covered all aspects of the business, from support areas to marketing and portfolio management.
During that time she also furthered her prospects by completing, in her own time, a Masters in business administration.
Newly qualified, she became general manager in Jersey, working with the CEO for a few years before focusing on more-specific management.
‘I set up the new client relationship management team and took on operations for Guernsey, Jersey and London.’
More recently, she took over HR and IT for the three jurisdictions.
‘I have always taken on different roles, culminating in becoming head of Guernsey. I am quite proud to be the first female director in the company.’
Mrs Platts has witnessed significant changes to the Channel Islands offices during her time.
Guernsey and Jersey always operated as separate entities until they were combined in 2000. She said the involvement of different parent companies over the years, including Dresdner and Allianz, had resulted in some changes in direction.
Article posted on 10th April, 2007 - 12.00am
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