2025 Jersey Financial Services Directors Conference

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Chris Usher (Chair)

Non-Executive Director at the School of International Financial Services

Chris is a Non-Executive Director and Expert-Trainer at the School of International Financial Services (SIFS), a leading provider of training and education in offshore financial services across 15 jurisdictions globally. He has over 25 years of experience in offshore financial services, having previously held senior wealth management roles at Barclays Wealth and Santander, where he advised private clients and corporates on complex global investment solutions and wealth structuring. Chris is currently also a Director at Cavenwell Group. With a deep understanding of geopolitical and economic dynamics, Chris helps clients navigate the changing international wealth structuring landscape and optimise tax efficiency. Chris has trained over 6,000 people in qualifications for the Chartered Institute for Securities and Investments (CISI) in wealth management and is a well-regarded member of the Institute. He also serves on the committee of the Channel Islands Wealth Managers Association and is a member of the Institute of Directors.

James Pirie

Director, Recovery & Reorganisation at Grant Thornton 

James is a Director in the Recovery & Reorganisation team, based in Jersey. He is a Chartered Accountant, qualified Insolvency Practitioner and Certified Fraud Examiner and joined the Recovery & Reorganisation team in 2015.

James manages a diverse portfolio of cases including contentious insolvent liquidations, solvent restructurings, complex fund winding ups and forensic accounting investigations, regularly working with other Grant Thornton’s offices on cross border engagements. 

Niall Husbands

Client Director & Consultant at Altair Group

A qualified investment and banking professional, Niall joined Altair in 2024. He has extensive leadership and regulated board experience internationally, holding senior general management positions in wealth management and fiduciary services, and lead substantial wealth management businesses across Europe, the Middle East and North Africa for a global bank. Since 2012 he has been based in Jersey and specialised in fiduciary services, notably in the Funds and Private Wealth sectors.  

He specializes in corporate governance and strategy, and works with fiduciaries, family offices and funds (Private Equity and Sovereign Wealth) to help develop and implement effective governance and transactional processes, often being appointed to Boards or Family Committees. 

Niall's priority is on enabling his clients to focus on their core offering. He does this by providing clarity and perspective, helping identify operating frameworks to simplify processes. This typically results in cost efficiencies, and often a revenue opportunity. 

Lilit Yordanyan

Senior Manager, Risk Assurance at Grant Thornton 

Lilit joined Grant Thornton from one of the Big 4 firms in Ireland. Lilit has over 18 years of experience in providing audit and internal audit services and her portfolio of audit clients has included a range of financial and non-financial services businesses including energy, infrastructure, manufacturing, hospitality, commercial and banking industries.

Grant Thornton

Platinum Sponsor

Grant Thornton Limited is a leading Channel Island practice with offices in Guernsey and Jersey with combined staffing strength of over 200 people. We are the Channel Island member of Grant Thornton International, one of the world's leading international organisations of independently owned and managed accounting and consulting firms.

Grant Thornton International is not a worldwide partnership. Services are delivered independently by the member firms and as a member firm within Grant Thornton International we have access to member and correspondent firms in over 140 countries, offering clients specialist local knowledge supported by international expertise and methodologies.

To view more information, please visit: www.grantthorntonci.com

Altair Group

Gold Sponsor

To view more information, please visit: www.altair.je

Silver Sponsor

Akasha 

Bronze Sponsor

Akasha Consulting helps organizations unlock the full potential of their data through intelligent automation solutions, streamlined operations processes, and effective staff training. We partner with businesses of all sizes to design and implement human-centered data strategies using the tools and infrastructure that best suits your needs. Each solution is delivered with full transparency to all audiences across your organization, engaging technical teams, non-technical staff, and stakeholders alike. Our unique blend of deep technical expertise and down-to-earth, relatable communication style makes Akasha delivers results at every level.

 Educational Partners 

Institute of Directors (IoD) | Jersey Branch

IoD Jersey was founded in 1966 and has over 820 members from all sectors of the business community and is at the forefront of promoting business and ethical leadership in Jersey. It is presently chaired by Alex Ruddy with the support of the Branch Officer, Zoë Wauton and is comprised of the main committee and eleven sub-committees. IoD Jersey has a significant voice and lobbies government on behalf of its members. The Institute also sets the highest standards for corporate governance, through its professional training programmes.

For more information, please visit: www.iod.je

IoD members qualify for a 20% discount when registering to attend this event.