Perspectives: Women in Leadership, Dubai – October 2024

Deputy Millar has been the Minister for Treasury and Resources and Assistant Minister for External Relations for the Government of Jersey since 2023. Between 2022 and 2023 she served as Minister for Social Security and Assistant Chief Minister with responsibility for Financial Services. Deputy Millar is a Jersey advocate and lawyer of over 35 years' experience, originally qualifying as a solicitor in Scotland. She served as the first female Viscount of the Royal Court of Jersey, before which she also worked in the financial services industry at firms including RBS/Natwest International. In addition to her Ministerial role, Deputy Millar is a Member of Jersey's States Assembly (Parliament), representing the parishes of St John, St Lawrence, and Trinity.

Amy is Deputy Chief Executive of Jersey Finance. Amy joined Jersey Finance in 2011, becoming Chief Operating Officer in January 2014 and assumed her current role in September 2017. Amy also retains an active position leading the Strategy and Research team which undertakes projects and initiatives to develop the financial services industry in the Island.

An joined Jersey Finance in May 2016 as the Business Development Director for Asia and is now based in our Middle East Regional Hub office, in the DIFC in Dubai.

An studied law in Belgium at the University of Leuven including one Erasmus exchange year at Queen Mary and Westfield College in London. She subsequently did an LLM in international business law at Trinity College Dublin.

Jessica is a global expert in sustainable finance and ESG, advising clients including financial institutions, investors, governments and regulators on a broad range of issues relating to ESG and sustainability strategy. She has deep expertise in sustainable finance and responsible investment, as well as carbon, climate and gender finance. Now based in the Middle East, Jessica has lived and worked extensively across the region, as well as Asia and North America. Previously a Partner and MENA Sustainable Finance Leader at EY, other roles include Head of Asia for the United Nations-supported Principles for Responsible Investment (UN-PRI), following a long stint as Chief Executive and Board Director of the Association for Sustainable and Responsible Investment in Asia (ASrIA), one of Asia’s leading think tanks working to promote sustainable finance and responsible investment.

Michelle is a Group Director at Affinity Private Wealth, responsible for developing business growth strategies and leads a dynamic trust team dedicated to delivering exceptional service to private clients and their families. Her commitment to client satisfaction and wealth preservation is closely aligned with Affinity's core values. A Business Management graduate from the University of East Anglia, Michelle began her career in 2001 after moving from England to Jersey to embrace island life. With over 20 years of experience, she has built an impressive career in providing bespoke administration and tailored trust and corporate services to high-net worth individuals and families across multiple jurisdictions. She has a particular interest in succession planning, both for the families she advises and within Affinity. She is passionate about promoting inclusivity across genders and generations in the private wealth industry.

Samira has over 20 years of wealth management & private banking experience at senior level in MENA, Europe and Asia. Samira served as Head of Private Banking at National Bank of Dubai and Head of Ultra High Net Worth at National Bank of Abu Dhabi, progressing to MD & Global Head of PB & KCG for First Abu Dhabi bank. Throughout her tenure, she has remained focused on client propositions and solutions both regionally as well as internationally. Samira remains instrumental in developing and growing wealth management across the GCC region. In 2019, she was recognised in the industry as ‘Leading Woman in Wealth Management – MENA’ by WealthBriefing MENA Awards.

Kristina has extensive experience in advising high and ultra-high net worth individuals on a wide range of private client matters. Her client base comprises both UK and non-UK domiciled, typically internationally mobile, individuals who have worldwide business interests and, more often than not, are settlors and/or beneficiaries of non-UK trusts. She is also experienced in advising trustees of UK and non-UK trusts on any UK tax reporting and payment obligations they may have. Kristina has coordinated a number of multi-jurisdictional projects, helping manage the tax exposure and complying with the reporting requirements on relocation to and from the UK, structuring investment and real estate ownership, and succession planning. She takes a holistic approach to her clients’ affairs and is used to working closely with their lawyers, trustees and other advisers to provide the tax support her clients require to achieve their personal and commercial aspirations.

Emily provides international private wealth and tax advice to families and trustees of family trusts on a variety of issues. Her areas of expertise include establishing wealth preservation structures such as offshore trusts, foundations and companies, family governance and business succession planning, residence and domicile advice, the reporting of beneficial ownership under the various global initiatives and structuring the acquisition and ownership of UK residential property. Emily also works closely with families on their philanthropic objectives, including advising on establishment, administration and governance of UK charities and other not-for-profit organisations, as well as advising on charity and UK tax implications of proposed donations and helping to set, monitor and implement philanthropic initiatives. Much of Emily's work has a cross border element and she has a particular focus on the Middle East, often advising on the use of local structures to hold regional assets.

We are an independent wealth management and trust company. We provide advice, structuring and investment solutions; helping individuals and families preserve and enhance their assets for themselves or across generations.

As a privately owned business, our interests are wholly aligned with our clients. Our ethics and values – the intangibles that count – are at the core of everything we do. We were the first Jersey firm to become a UN Global Compact participant and are signatories to the UN PRI, consistent with Affinity’s commitment to sustainability.

Praxis is an independent, leading provider of bespoke private wealth and corporate services to companies, individuals and families across the world.

Our clients’ interests are at the forefront of everything we do, and we are focused on adding value at each opportunity. This approach has shaped our reputation for innovation and service for over 50 years.

The Group’s expertise and experience are sustained by recruiting and retaining the brightest and best, and creating a culture that allows them to thrive.

We take the long-term view, knowing that the ongoing success of our business rests on the trust we build by nurturing lasting relationships.