UBS Announced as Sponsor of Play Celebrating Local Talent in Jersey

UBS Global Wealth Management today announced that the firm will serve as headline sponsor of The Wake of Yer Man, a new stage production written by Jersey-based author and playwright, Yvonne Heavey, premiering at the Jersey Arts Centre in March 2026.

Originally developed from a collection of short stories that won the Jersey Festival of Words in 2023, The Wake of Yer Man is a comedy set in rural Ireland during the 1990s, drawing on themes of community and place that reflect the writer’s Irish roots. Half of the cast is made up of local performers, supporting Jersey-based creative talent and strengthening the Island’s cultural sector; a commitment shared by UBS.

UBS’s support has helped enable the production to grow beyond its original format, supporting its development for the stage and contributing to its expansion beyond Jersey. Following the performances in March, the play will travel to Ireland in May, with growing interest from creatives and arts organisations in London and across the UK.

“Supporting the arts is an essential part of our commitment to the local community,” said Nick Mangan, Head of Wealth Management in Jersey at UBS Global Wealth Management. “Creativity plays a vital role not only in culture, but in leadership, innovation and personal development. We’re proud to support a project that celebrates local talent and inspires the next generation, and we’ll continue investing in initiatives that promote inclusion, creativity and long-term impact in Jersey and beyond.”

As part of its sponsorship of The Wake of Yer Man, UBS is also working with Yvonne to host a ‘behind-the-scenes look’ for local schoolchildren in Jersey, who will be invited to attend rehearsals next month and take part in a Q&A session with the cast and creative team. The initiative aims to encourage young people, particularly aspiring female creatives, to explore careers in writing, performance and the arts.

“UBS’s support has been instrumental in helping this project grow and reach new audiences,” said Yvonne. “It sends a powerful message about the value of creativity, storytelling and local talent, and what can be achieved when the arts and business work together.”

The firm’s support builds on its broader, long-standing engagement with the arts and creative industries at a global level, reflecting a belief that creativity and culture play an important role in driving innovation, connection and long-term societal value. Internationally, UBS is the Global Lead Partner of Art Basel and maintains one of the world’s largest corporate art collections, using its platform to support artists, foster cultural dialogue and make art more accessible across communities.

Bringing this commitment closer to home, UBS is also focused on supporting the arts at a local level and has previously worked with Yvonne to inspire other creatives in Jersey. Last year, as part of the firm’s Women’s Wealth Financial Empowerment programme, she spoke at a UBS-hosted event on the role of creativity in business and leadership. That event also featured Gaëlle Dechamps, founder of LeadHership, which is sponsored by UBS and delivered in local schools to inspire and develop the next generation of female leaders. Together, these initiatives reflect UBS’s commitment to fostering confidence, creativity and opportunity for women and young people in Jersey.

The Wake of Yer Man will be performed at the Jersey Arts Centre on 17 and 18 March.