Guernsey should aspire to be one of the best places in the world to grow up, raise a family and grow old. In leadership roles in large financial firms, small startups, and several public service roles, I have successfully delivered projects, raised funds, and improved services. Let’s work together to grow the vibrant economy we need to support essential work such as access to housing, lifelong learning, old age care and a more cost-efficient and effective healthcare service.
Manifesto
About me:
I am married to Michael, and we have two grown children. We have proudly called St Peter Port our home for over 27 years. I studied mechanical engineering, which was perfect for someone who loves solving problems. After an MBA and 20 years in finance, I was CEO of Startup Guernsey, where I helped local entrepreneurs raise investments of over £3 million from 2014 to 2020. I am impressed by Guernsey’s small businesses, their ability to innovate and their challenges. I now work in finance, helping clients invest responsibly. I am known for rolling my sleeves up and getting things done within a team.
Giving back is very important to me. I have targeted my volunteering to areas where my finance, sustainability, and governance experience have helped local organisations have a positive impact on our island. I raise money for the Guernsey Arts Commission and co-lead the Guernsey Chamber of Commerce Sustainable Business Initiative, which helps businesses become more environmentally friendly.
I would welcome the opportunity to serve the island in the States Assembly to help Guernsey reset and flourish.
Strong Economy
My priority will be developing a strong economy and better use of our resources. Our current economic stagnation impacts our ability to fund essential services. Investing in all our infrastructure, properly funded and managed, is key to new growth.
I will support local businesses, which are at the heart of our island economy, to have more government contracts. Opportunities abound to embrace renewable energy, reinvigorate our town centres and reimagine tourism, especially emphasising our unique heritage and natural environment.
Smarter, Local Finance
Good value for money is essential for all initiatives, and our books must be balanced over the medium term. This will require some difficult decisions, but I am committed to working towards a fair tax solution that ensures the poorest in society are protected.
Prioritising the development of our natural assets will bring economic opportunities. This includes updating our harbour, investigating a potential wind farm, and prioritising brownfield developments and underused States’ property.
Working and learning better
Guernsey should be one of the best places in the world to balance family and work, so I will push for flexible working initiatives and new parental leave legislation. Let’s increase support for those who want to retrain or return to work if circumstances change.
AI and new technologies have the potential to transform our work and increase our productivity. With my expertise, I would push to improve workplace and entrepreneurship skills in partnership with local businesses. I would also support better ways to set up and monitor government partnerships.
Education excellence
We must focus on improving educational quality and opportunities that best meet local requirements. This includes academic, technical, and apprenticeship streams, especially for vocational careers like teaching and nursing.
Maths is the foundation of the financial and technical skills that many jobs require, and now needs priority at all age levels. I would support partnerships with businesses to improve numeracy and digital literacy in schools. The current standards are unacceptable.
Health care efficiency
I will continue efforts to create efficiencies in Health and Social Care, by far our largest spending department. More joined-up thinking and service delivery should result in better outcomes for all. I will support management and staff in using new and existing technology more effectively. I will explore raising local nursing wages and subsidies to increase take-up by locals and reduce agency costs.
I will accelerate cost-effective charity partnerships to offer additional preventative support for mental and physical health, ensuring we can all live well and thrive. This will include improved access to community support through social prescribing. Working together with stakeholders, we should remove silos and reimagine what is possible.
Support for older patients post-treatment, facilitating their remaining in their homes, and developing cost-effective hybrid solutions for long-term care are urgently required. Much can be done within existing budgets to support the Partnership of Purpose policy.
Action on Housing:
Our limited land is precious, so we must maximise its productive use wherever possible. I will support policies to increase land for potential houses from redundant government buildings, contaminated land and land where planning applications have lapsed but not been built.
It is unacceptable to have homelessness in Guernsey. Increased housing for our vulnerable and younger citizens is essential, and to achieve this, I would seek to prioritise efficient and innovative development, such as new build methods, specialist community housing, and more flats in town centres. I would also welcome an exploration of innovative funding schemes for first-time buyers and old age care.
Delivering Together
I have successfully worked with the government in business, an agency and charities to help deliver government policy. I will strive for better outcomes through stronger partnerships that empower and enthuse those involved and lead to a better life for all Guernsey residents, now and in the future.
Together, we can deliver good ideas that are properly researched, sensibly funded and promptly implemented. Working together with more trust and confidence, our strong social and business networks will be the key to our success.
How I Will Vote
For every proposal, I will ask:
- Does this support our economy and local businesses?
- Is it sustainable for future generations?
- Can we deliver it better by working together?
Vote Jennifer Strachan for Deputy 2025