Advocate Mark Dunster

Advocate Mark Dunster has been appointed as the new chair of the Guernsey Association of Compliance Officers (GACO).

Advocate Dunster, who is a partner at Carey Olsen practising in litigation, compliance and financial regulatory matters, was voted in at the association’s annual general meeting and will be taking over the position of chair from Julian Parker.

The association has over 150 members representing more than 80 companies drawn from all sectors of the financial services industry in Guernsey.

GACO is the recognised body for compliance professionals in the island, and promotes sharing knowledge and experience of procedures around anti-money laundering, anti-terrorist funding, compliance and risk management processes.

“It is a particularly challenging time for compliance professionals as they face growing levels of legislation and regulatory pressure in their day-to-day roles,” said Advocate Dunster.

“The international scrutiny Guernsey is under and the need for on-going business stability to be protected means that there will be no let-up in pressure for compliance professionals.  The association is a vital forum for professionals in the sector, offering guidance and the opportunity to share best practice. GACO’s role is critical in ensuring the right education and development programmes are available for our members. Becoming chair of the group is a big challenge, but one I am looking forward to,” he said.

As well as ensuring the continued education and development of the association’s members, Advocate Dunster’s role will also involve chairing the ten member committee and coordinating responses of the member body and committee to the Guernsey Financial Services Commission.