Guernsey Finance has appointed Grant McLeod as its first dedicated representative in South Africa.
McLeod has spent 20 years in financial services in South Africa, particularly in private wealth, with companies including Ashburton and Barclays Private Wealth.
In his capacity as South Africa representative, he will look to build on significant developments made by Guernsey in South Africa over the past few years.
This will include areas in investment funds and private wealth, through open-ended fund structures, trusts, pensions and other vehicles. He will also promote the island more widely in sub-Saharan Africa.
McLeod notes that Guernsey is a jurisdiction well known to most South African investors, and his role is to continue to reinforce Guernsey as the jurisdiction of choice among the South African investment community.
“Having worked in the South African markets, and having assisted South African clients to invest outside their home jurisdiction, helping to connect South Africa with Guernsey across all sectors comes naturally to me and I’m looking forward to explaining the positives that Guernsey has to offer our market,” says McLeod.
James Crawford, director of international business development at Guernsey Finance, explains the appointment in the country was an important move for Guernsey.
Crawford comments: “Guernsey’s key strengths of security, stability and substance have resonated really strongly in South Africa on the visits we have made in the past few years, pre-COVID. It is clear that Guernsey is now a key jurisdiction for wealth managers in South Africa for funds, trusts, pensions and other corporate structures.”
“McLeod will give the South African market a more consistent Guernsey presence and ensure that Guernsey solutions remain front of mind for clients and their advisers,” Crawford adds.
