Marc Laine

Manifesto

Guernsey is my home. After leaving La Mare de Carteret school, I became a tradesman before taking the leap to build a business of my own. I have helped grow several successful businesses in technology and sustainability and have been involved in mental health and financial services businesses. I am married, with two grown up children and can’t wait to have grandchildren.

Decades of experience in business have given me the tools to help protect what makes our island so special, and ensure that the opportunities Guernsey offers are accessible to all.

Between 2008 and 2012, I served as a States member and Deputy Minister of Commerce and Employment, while also managing a large IT business. This time, I am free of other responsibilities and able to bring even greater focus to the role. Crucially, I know how the States works, I know how to get things done, and unlike many candidates, I bring my own solutions.

MY EXPERIENCE • Founder and former Managing Director of international sustainability technology businesses ESI Monitor and FutureTracker • Former Managing Director of IT company C5 Alliance • Founder Atlas Telecom (later sold to JT) • Confederation of Guernsey Business Entrepreneur of the Year, 2002 • Deputy Minister for Commerce & Employment, 2009–2012 • Non-executive director at The Decider (mental health business) and Aspida Group (financial services business) • Founder and host of Finvention, a start-up and networking platform • Raised funds and taken aid directly into Ukraine.

MY PRIORITIES

✓ HOUSING
Housing shortages are damaging our economy and our community; this must change now

✓ ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Break the mould on economic development and innovation

✓ STATES CONTRACT
Bring back the States’ IT support contract to Guernsey to improve value, reliability and boost the local economy

✓ LOCAL SUPPLIERS
The States must adopt a higher weighting for local suppliers to support the local economy, and streamline low value tenders

✓ FAIR SOCIETY
My focus is on wealth generation and a fairer society that leaves nobody behind; only if we can boost the economy fairly can we avoid the worst of GST

✓ FINANCIAL SERVICES
Financial services are vital but they must evolve and enhance their value

Housing: THE HEART OF THE PROBLEM Housing is now the most visible symbol of inequality in Guernsey. It touches every part of island life:

• Young islanders are leaving because they can't afford to stay; we struggle to attract off-island talent
• Wage pressures rise as workers seek higher pay just to cover housing, damaging competitiveness
• Millions are spent subsidising critical worker accommodation, diverting funds from services
• Local businesses suffer as disposable income falls
• Poor conditions strain Health and Social Services
• Families are separated, weakening community roots

The States have strategic ambitions for nearly 1000 new homes across sites like Black Rock. But, even if started, they may take two decades to deliver, while imposing heavily on the north of the island.

From the 1970s-1990s, many islanders built their own homes. The appetite hasn’t changed, but costs have moved self-builds out of reach for most. As larger strategies develop, we need short-term, tactical solutions. One option is to allow special sustainable self-builds using modern, low-impact technology on land currently off-limits to traditional housing, e.g., plots on the edge of domestic curtilage.

These energy-efficient, owner-occupied modular homes would utilise modern technology foundations instead of concrete, reducing environmental impact, speeding up delivery and dramatically cutting costs. They could open up land that wouldn’t otherwise qualify, creating capacity without sprawl.

To ensure affordability, plot prices must reflect the restricted use and sustainable status of the builds. This could be done through planning conditions or land-use rules that restrict resale, prevent speculative investment, and lock in the self-build purpose. Previously unviable land could be reclassified for low-impact housing only, unlocking supply while suppressing price inflation.

Crucially, these homes could be removed if no longer needed, with land restored to nature - unlike concrete
developments. There’s no deep excavation, no permanent scars, just the potential to rewild, reuse, or
reimagine.

This isn’t about lowering standards; it’s about raising ambitions. These homes offer affordability, security, and sustainability while increasing capacity and giving people the freedom to solve their own housing needs.

The States must support local businesses Our government must use its spending power to support the local economy. Every pound spent locally multiplies through jobs and businesses. I want to radically overhaul the procurement process to favour local firms and keep our economy strong.

Public appreciation of financial services must be fostered The financial services industry has been a
cornerstone of Guernsey’s prosperity for decades, but there are many local people who can’t see its value. The industry has faced many challenges in recent years – decline in local ownership, global regulatory changes, erosion of skills and leadership, and innovation led from non-Guernsey jurisdictions.

Historically, we have benefited from some fantastic local finance startups, but the barriers to entry are now so high that it is unrealistic to expect this to repeat without facilitation. I have a raft of new ideas that will breathe new life into the industry and foster local innovation and leadership, and rebuild pride in this critical sector.

Quality at the top No matter how good our chosen politicians, they will be set up to fail unless we have the requisite skills at the top of the Civil Service. We now have a new CEO in Boley Smilie, and I want to ensure that he can have the best management team based on merit, not time served.

Bring States IT support back to Guernsey I believe the current arrangement has failed operationally, technically, strategically and financially. Having owned and run large technology companies, as well as seen the States IT procurement process first hand, I am determined to get this contract back on island. Doing so will be a boost to the local economy, reduce costs and improve reliability.

Healthcare Having had prostate cancer in 2024, I am passionate about the need for affordable quality healthcare for everyone. I am equally passionate about better mental health services and have been an advisor and non-executive director to local international mental health business, The Decider.

Education Reform Delays in constructing the new sixth form college led to temporary arrangements - we
just need to get to a stable state and avoid more disruption to our students. Though I studied at La Mare de Carteret, I appreciate the contribution and the value of the private colleges absolutely and want to ensure that they are recognised for their involvement in our children’s education.

Economic Development Economic development is one of my strongest areas of expertise; I have owned,
founded, led, operated, acquired, advised and sold businesses in technology, mental health, telecoms, recruitment, finance and sustainability. Over the past two years, I’ve met with a wide range of people, both on and off island, to understand our needs, explore  innovation, and identify what’s holding businesses back. A vote for me is a vote for a stronger economy, and for the foundations we need to build a healthy, prosperous island.

A deeper dive: Small economies function differently

Our government can’t print money or change interest rates, but it does have a powerful, underused tool: every pound spent in Guernsey can generate up to four pounds in local economic value.

Each year the States spend millions of pounds on off- island products and services, even when the skills and products are available locally. The IT contract and new school builds are just two examples. Many local businesses find the current procurement system unnecessarily complex and prohibitive, leaving them unable or unwilling to bid for business.

If elected, my mission will be to radically change government procurement and to use it as an economic lever where the impact on the economy is fully weighed on procurement decisions.

PUBLIC FINANCES Fiscal responsibility and transparency in public spending needs more scrutiny. The electorate is rightly concerned about how government funds are allocated, especially in light of significant investments in education and healthcare infrastructure. My policies focus on wealth generation and a fairer society; we can only avoid GST if we can boost the economy without leaving people behind.

CLIMATE CHANGE AND SUSTAINABILITY

I founded and ran the international climate change company FutureTracker before selling the business in early 2025. I am passionate about sustainability but pragmatic. Until the States acts sustainably in its own operations and sets an affordable example to business, it’s hard to believe the rhetoric.

CONNECTIVITY Over the years the States has subsidised multiple routes to encourage people from places like Paris and Amsterdam to Guernsey. Usually, they end up unsustainable after the subsidy ends and are dropped. I support the work going on at the moment to reintroduce a Heathrow route; this will be great for locals, visitors and businesses. I have seen Guernsey lose business too often due to our unreliable link with Gatwick.

AURIGNY We are expecting spectacular losses to be announced at Aurigny at the time of writing this manifesto. While I accept that breaking even is a tough proposition when operating our lifeline services, we have to get a grip on these losses. I look forward to getting an insight into how we have sustained such losses and how we can avoid a repeat.

RECOGNISING LOCAL EXCELLENCE Too often, we assume that innovation and expertise must come from elsewhere - larger cities or international firms - overlooking the remarkable talent in our own backyard. In Guernsey, this mindset has long held back local businesses, which often have to work twice as hard for the same recognition given more freely to outsiders. It’s time to challenge that narrative.

As former MD of successful Guernsey companies, I’ve seen first-hand the world-class capability we have right here. Guernsey is home to innovative, dynamic companies in finance, tech, sustainability, and creative industries - businesses that aren’t just keeping up, but leading on the global stage.

The future of our island’s success doesn’t lie in looking outward, but in acknowledging and investing in what we already have.