THE insurance sector maintained its global profile in California. Representatives were among 9,000 professionals at the Risk and Insurance Management Society conference.

Guernsey Financial Services Commission insurance director Alan Fleming said that attendance at Rims was invaluable.

‘We would certainly have been noticed by our absence, particularly with some new jurisdictions present, such as Gibraltar,’ he said.

‘We came away with an important database of contacts, including some from Japan. Guernsey already has some Japanese insurance clients and I see this as a growth area.’

Mr Fleming took part in a round-table session of risk managers at which there was standing room only.

Updates were given by various domiciles, offshore and onshore, including North American states.

Guernsey Promotional Agency chief executive John Bridle said the island had its best stand location yet.

‘For the first time we were able to take advantage of sophisticated registration equipment that has provided us with a database on every visitor to our stand.’

The Guernsey representation was supported by practitioners from the insurance and legal sectors as well as the agency and GFSC delegation.

‘It is essential that Guernsey retains its profile at such events, particularly given the global profile of Rims and the large number of competitor jurisdictions who are represented,’ said Mr Bridle.

‘Without a Guernsey presence, it would be very difficult to substantiate our position as Europe’s leading captive domicile.’