National Wealth Fund meeting highlights UK growth

The important role Jersey has to play in supporting the UK’s long-term investment ambitions was highlighted at a meeting held recently with the National Wealth Fund and Channel Islands political and industry representatives, according to Jersey Finance.

The discussions, held in Leeds last month, were attended by senior figures from the Government of Jersey and States of Guernsey as well as industry professionals from across the Channel Islands, and served to reinforce just how closely aligned the islands are with the National Wealth Fund’s strategy.

In particular, the meeting focussed on the islands’ reputations as international finance centres with deep expertise in structuring, pooling and deploying capital and an ability to help unlock investment into major UK projects, across infrastructure, energy transition and other priority growth sectors. Attendees highlighted the islands’ constitutional strength and stability, global connectivity, robust regulatory framework and commitment to transparency and cooperation.

Headquartered in Leeds, the National Wealth Fund is a policy bank that brings together the strengths of both the public and private sectors to unlock the UK’s future. Operationally independent but wholly owned by HM Treasury, it has £27.8 billion of core capitalisation to deploy to support the UK government’s growth and clean energy missions, pool together private capital and generate a return for the UK taxpayer.

Commenting after the meeting, Joe Moynihan, CEO, Jersey Finance, said: “This was another valuable opportunity to highlight how closely aligned Jersey is to the UK and how our relationship is mutually beneficial. The UK needs trusted, well-regulated routes through which global capital can be mobilised efficiently into productive investment and Jersey does just that, connecting international investors with high quality opportunities and giving capital the confidence and structure it needs to flow.

“The message from the meeting was clear – Jersey can help drive the private investment that is essential to delivering the National Wealth Fund’s objectives and that can create opportunities for sustainable growth, innovation and long term value on both sides.”