GUERNSEYFINANCE chief executive Peter Niven still has the ‘full confidence’ of his board, despite the row over criticism he aimed at a deputy, its chairman has said.
The board met on Monday to discuss Mr Niven’s email to Deputy Gloria Dudley-Owen in which he claimed she was ill-prepared for last week’s States debate on how the promotional body is funded.
Mr Niven (pictured) also met the board separately to explain his 1am broadside.
Chairman Jim Gilligan released a statement yesterday on behalf of the board of directors reiterating his apologies to Deputy Dudley-Owen.
‘Following these deliberations, the GuernseyFinance board would like to echo the Commerce and Employment minister’s statement to the States of Deliberation last Thursday and her apology to Deputy Gloria Dudley-Owen,’ he said.
‘At this time we would also like to place on record our strong support for the chief executive, Peter Niven, and the excellent work he is doing in promoting the island as a leading international finance centre.
‘He retains the full confidence of the board to lead the GuernseyFinance team forward in building on its successes and driving onwards during 2010 and beyond.’
However, Mr Gilligan admitted there would be a tightening of the rules for staff due to the incident.
‘In addition, the GuernseyFinance board has agreed that staff terms of employment will in future include a tightened protocol for addressing issues of a potentially sensitive nature so as to prevent any such repeat of this issue,’ he said.
He also wanted to clarify the set-up of the organisation.
‘GuernseyFinance was established as an independent company, limited by guarantee, to undertake the role of promoting the island as a leading international finance centre,’ he said.
‘The two shareholders are the States of Guernsey, in the form of the Commerce and Employment Department, and the Guernsey International Business Association, which is the representative body for the island’s finance industry.’
GuernseyFinance used to be paid for in full by Commerce and Employment but, as a result of last week’s debate, it will now be one-third funded by the industry.
‘This joint approach reflects how government and local service providers recognise that working in partnership to promote the sector will best enhance the short, medium and long term success of an industry which is the primary driver of the island’s economy,’ said Mr Gilligan.
‘However, it also means that GuernseyFinance is neither part of the States of Guernsey nor are its employees civil servants.’
He said the board now considered the email row finished and would not comment further.
Deputy Dudley-Owen said the board had made a full apology in the States and she considered that the end of the matter.
Article posted on 3rd December, 2009 - 11.30am
10 Article Comments
Pathetic.
Who does he think he is?
The Press Opinion (which for once I agree with) is spot on.
If this is the way GF is run, then all those detractors of my posts, who presumably make their disproportionate wages from Niven’s efforts for biz, can only be on the same level as this small minded man.
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That is part of your problem Arnald, you assume and presume far too much, without having any real idea of the truth of the matter.
Still, at least you got your letter published.
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I’m no major fan of Guernsey finance, as it doesn’t do anything to help my business (and I don’t ask it to).
But it’s good to see someone finally pointing out (albeit in a slightly obtuse way!) that we have some very poor politicians in the current states.
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Phil
Don’t I? What exactly do you know that I don’t?
Did you see the Simon Mann programme the other night? Where did Jeffrey Archer deposit his cash? Why do we have Angolan state money on our books? Why has Anglo Leasing been able to get away with murder?
Why do banks have SPVs loaning to themselves across jurisdictions?
Why do a myriad of non commercial transactions take place booked through Guernsey every day?
What Jack Irvine said was utter rubbish, it had to be countered otherwise people like you go around believing it, and will continue to do so because of your apathetic ignorance at what is going on in front of your nose.
What’s so great about fleecing countries out of tax revenue?
Simple questions to answer if I’m barking up the wrong tree, wouldn’t you say?
I await your erudition for my education.
Greg, there you go again, what is ‘poor’ about requesting information? The reason you don’t respond is because you can’t. End of. The lack of reality in Guernsey is not being channelled through me, but from this blind arrogance. It’s appalling. People from other countries think we are backward robbers. Hope you’re proud of that.
Why can’t Niven apologise in person? I tell you why, it’s because he thinks he’s right. Just like you lot. Worse than politicians by a country mile.
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Methinks Mr Editor is attempting to stretch this story a little further than it should go
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Arnald
How exactly do we go about “fleecing countries out of tax revenue”?
If their own tax laws allow certain liabilities to be avoided (perfectly legally may I add) then what is wrong in providing our services to individuals and organisations who need them?
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Arnald, what is “poor” is a total lack of planning on behalf of the deputy who it appears couldn’t be bothered to be better prepared.
And Arnald, you are right. Mr Niven isn’t apologising because he is right. Maybe Mrs Dudley-Owen would like to tell us why she was so ill-prepared?
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GD-O wanted information from a publically funded LBG. What’s ‘poor’ about it? When the GFSC, or any external audit request info from a bank, they make sure the bend over backwards. Literally.
Or do you not know that? Do the MDs of these institutions fire off 1am emails to van Leuven saying they should have listened at the last meeting they had?
Cloud cuckoo land mate. I don’t think half my detractors have ever lived in the real world. I can’t wait for the hustings. I may get no votes, but to highlight the paucity of logical reasoning will be fun. And I was taught by the state!!!
So much for those subsidies.
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“At this time we would also like to place on record our strong support for the chief executive, Peter Niven”
Expect his replacement in the near future.
If Mrs Dudly-Owen required further clarification ahead of a states debate she would have been remiss in not requesting it.
In future Mr Niven would be well advised that whilst being paid by the tax payer he answers any questions put to him by the tax payers representatives without passing negative comment. And no, two thirds of an answer won’t be acceptable either.
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Niven is paid by the tax payer.
If he not prepared to answer question or give information to Deputies or if he thinks he is above helping them.
He should apologise to Deputy Dudley-Owen as a gentleman should do, and say it will not happen again.
If not he is no gentleman,and should give his notice or be given it.
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