Sally Rochester is standing for People’s Deputy to deliver collaborative, evidence-based leadership for Guernsey’s long-term success. With a background in finance, governance, and sustainability, she advocates smarter government, better communication, and cross-sector strategies. Her priorities include sustainable public finances, affordable housing, health and wellbeing as economic drivers, and accessible, high-quality education for all ages. She champions inclusive policy-making, long-term vision, and partnerships that benefit community, economy, and environment. Committed to fairness, professionalism, and pragmatism, Sally believes Guernsey needs leaders who listen, plan boldly, and act responsibly to ensure a thriving and resilient future for the island.
Manifesto
Who I am
I have proudly called Guernsey home for nearly ten years. Since moving here with my husband and two children I’ve built a successful career in professional services, advising financial services businesses across the Channel Islands. Before settling in Guernsey, my family and I lived and worked in France, the UK, the British Virgin Islands, and Jersey, gaining a broad perspective that continues to shape my approach to both work and community life.
In support of the financial services sector, I’ve served on the committee of the Guernsey Association of Compliance Officers, where I played an active role in key initiatives and events, including the MLRO Forum and the Members’ Conference. I later joined the Institute of Directors as a committee member and sustainability lead. During my time with the IoD, I spoke at the Annual Conference, hosted events focused on regulation and sustainability and contributed to delivering a strong programme of support for our members.
While my professional journey has been a source of pride, it’s my contribution to the Guernsey community that has brought me the greatest fulfilment.
From leading Deloitte’s partnership with Guernsey Mind - which ultimately led to my appointment as a trustee - to serving as the Guernsey Girls’ Rugby Manager for several years, I have found purpose and reward in supporting our third sector and helping others to thrive.
Driven by a passion for sustainable development, I began a Master’s in Sustainable Leadership in 2023. This learning inspired me to launch the Channel Islands Sustainable Business Conference, aimed at equipping business leaders with the tools and insight to contribute meaningfully to both our community and the planet. I’m also collaborating with like-minded individuals to create a Guernsey Sustainability Commission which is another step toward a more resilient island, ready to prosper in the future.
By standing for election, I hope to bring this diverse experience, across professional sectors, community service, and sustainable leadership, to the role of Deputy. If elected, I will work tirelessly to support a fair, inclusive, and prosperous future for all islanders.
How I will Deliver
I’m standing for election because I believe we need deputies who think long-term, work together, and make bold yet evidence-based decisions to strengthen our community, our economy and our environment. My professional background in accountancy, risk and governance, and leadership across the private, public and charitable sectors means I am ready to do this with your support. My experience has taught me to listen to different viewpoints, deal with complicated issues and manage competing priorities then to make decisions that are fair and recognise long term needs. I commit to working for shared success with honesty and with a focus on evidence. I will draw on Guernsey’s strengths, advocate for smarter government, and engage with private, private and our third sector to deliver the outcomes that matter most.
A Long-Term Vision
When we focus on outcomes like equal opportunity for all and a healthy environment, and use evidence to track outcomes, we make better decisions for the long term. These outcomes drive productivity, reduce future public costs, and support a thriving economy. Currently we lack a long-term strategy that integrates economic, environmental, and social priorities. This makes it difficult to resolve today’s urgent issues or plan confidently for the future. I will advocate for a cross-sector, community-led long-term vision. A vision that brings together population strategy, infrastructure planning, housing, using technology to our advantage, caring for our natural environment and workforce development. This isn’t just about economic growth, it’s about ensuring our islands remain prosperous, liveable, and competitive for future generations.
Smarter, More Agile Government
Better governance means better decision making. I will support reforms that improve communication between government and citizens, including accessible data, clearer reporting, and more effective consultation on key policy areas. Guernsey’s political structure is not delivering the strategic direction or decision-making pace required. I support clearer responsibilities, better accountability, and stronger coordination between committees. This is essential for improving the quality, speed and efficiency of government decisions.
A Collaborative Approach to Policy
I believe public policy is at its best when it is shaped in partnership with the people it affects. I will advocate for the considered use of: I will bring professionalism and pragmatism to the States, working constructively with others, regardless of background or politics.
What I Stand For
I stand to support four equally important outcomes. Responsible financial management, access to high quality, appropriate housing for everyone in our community, a preventative approach to the provision of healthcare and equal access to education and skills training for everyone.
These four topics are complex, interlinked and very important to our long term wellbeing. We cannot thrive without these four important outcomes and we must work across committees, and together as deputies, to use our limited resources in an intelligent, fair and balanced way. By working together we can solve these complex problems and ensure that Guernsey will prosper now and in to the future.
Balancing the Books
We must work towards a sustainable public finance model that enables investment in the foundations of a strong society, housing, healthcare, education, and infrastructure, while protecting future generations from unsustainable debt or decline. The recent fiscal policy report makes it clear that Guernsey faces a structural deficit that must be addressed. We cannot delay action. I support the creation of a comprehensive, evidence-based fiscal strategy that includes:
- Identifying cost efficiencies and improving service delivery without compromising outcomes;
- Ensuring we have sustainable and fair revenue streams; and
- Prioritising policies that support economic activity, reduce regulatory friction, and enable innovation.
Affordable, Secure, and Sustainable Housing
A functioning housing market underpins social cohesion, workforce stability and business growth. Housing affordability and supply are at crisis levels. This is not sustainable, especially for young people, essential workers and businesses trying to recruit. We need an integrated approach to housing that includes:
- Accelerating delivery of affordable and key worker homes;
- Supporting shared equity and other first-time buyer schemes;
- Streamlining planning policies; and
- Better use of States-owned land for housing and infrastructure.
Health and Wellbeing as Economic Drivers
Long-term health outcomes are critical not just for individual wellbeing, but for productivity, workforce resilience, and future public spending. We know that we have an ageing demographic and are already seeing a significant increase in health care costs as a result of that population change. The 2023 Wellbeing Survey shows rising rates of obesity in adults and mental health concerns. We must respond strategically:
- Support community-based preventative health and lifestyle programmes;
- Improve access to mental health services;
- Integrate health planning into housing, transport, and education decisions; and
- Develop workforce wellbeing initiatives in partnership with employers
A healthier population will result in a thriving community and a stronger economy.
Skills & Education for All
I believe access to high quality education is critical for our quality of life and our economic success. Starting with high quality, affordable pre-school childcare and building through the educational pathway to accessible, relevant adult learning we must design and deliver:
- A relevant curriculum for future individual, business and broader community needs;
- Appropriate resourcing of delivery and support through excellent teaching and considered use of technology;
- A holistic programme of support for our students; and
- The development of partnerships across the educational sector and beyond to create a community approach to education.
A Final Word
I believe our future depends on making difficult decisions with clarity and compassion, not short term fixes or individual agendas. Guernsey needs leaders who understand finance, governance, risk, and impact. Leaders who can connect economic thinking with social priorities. Leaders who listen.