Gavin St Pier

Move Forward Together

Personal details

Name: Gavin Anthony St. Pier

Professional / educational qualifications

  • chartered accountant (FCA), The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England & Wales
  • barrister-at-Iaw, Inner Temple
  • chartered tax adviser (CTA), The Chartered Institute of Taxation
  • registered trust and estate practitioner (TEP), the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners
  • 2:1, Bachelor of Laws (LLB), The University of Southampton

Business experience

February 2012 – October 2018
Director, Trust Corporation International Limited (‘TCI’)

I was a non-executive director of TCI, the holding company for Trust Corporation of the Channel Islands Limited (‘TCCI’), a fiduciary business licensed by the Guernsey Financial Services Commission.


August 2011 – July 2012
Chairman. Alderney Electricity limited (‘ AEL’)

Following an open recruitment process, I was appointed Chairman of AEL following a period of significant management change in the business. AEL is the sole suppler of electricity and heating oil to the island of Alderney.


July 2011 – April 2012
Director, Aurigny Air Services (‘Aurigny’)

In July 2011, following an open recruitment process. I was appointed as a non-executive director of Aurigny Air Services Limited and its sister company Anglo Normandy Aero Engineering Limited. Aurigny is publicly owned and provides lifeline air-links between Guernsey and the UK, and between the Channel Islands.  I resigned on being elected as a Deputy.


May 2009 – April 2011
Chairman, Mercator Holdings Limited

In May 2009, I joined Mercator as a non-executive Chairman. Mercator is a Guemsey based financial services group providing trust and company administration and fund administration services. It has approximately 80 staff. My primary role was to work with the executive directors and shareholders to develop a strategic direction for the business.

Achievements included:

  • The disposals of non-core assets (a small Investment management business and a joint venture stake in a company administration business in the Caribbean).
  • The development and launch of a PR-Ied marketing strategy.
  • The executive team producing their first 3 year financial plan.
  • The establishment of a Remuneration Committee in respect of executive directors’ remuneration and bonuses.
  • Initiating a tender process for the appointment of new auditors.

October 2009 – December 2015
Owner / Director, Veyrier Trustees Limited

In October 2009, I founded Veyrier Trustees. This was a managed trust company, licensed by the Guemsey Financial Services Commission.


January 2003 to January 2009
Partner, Deloitte UK Deputy
Chief Executive, Walbrook Group
Director, Barclays Wealth

In January 2003, I joined DeIoitte as a partner in their fiduciary business, Walbrook. Simultaneously, DeIoitte began a sale process for the business and I co-Ied and motivated a management team of 6 to acquire the business from DeIoitte in December 2003, backed by Hermes Private Equity with debt provided by Bank of Scotland. On completion, I became Deputy Chief Executive.

In May 2007, we successfully exited the MBO by means of a trade sale to Barclays Wealth, having more than doubled the enterprise value of the business. By this point, we had offices in 4 jurisdictions, a turnover of £25m p.a. and c.200 staff. During the period of our independence, I had responsibility for group HR with strategic and operational responsibility for group HR issues including the recruitment and development of senior management talent. I was also responsible for the marketing and business development strategy – which was PR led – required to deliver a target growth rate of 15% p.a., which we achieved.

Following completion of the sale to Barclays Wealth, I agreed to continue to serve the new owners as a director of Barclays Wealth for up to 2 years.


January 2001 to October 2002
Managing Director, Orbis Management Limited
Joint Head of the Fiduciary Services Division, Kleinwort Benson Channel Islands

I was the Managing Director of Orbis, part of the Fiduciary Services Division (‘the Division’) of Kleinwort Benson Channel Islands (‘Kleinwort Benson’) and was also Joint Head of the Division responsible for the successful integration of the businesses. The Division provided offshore trust and company administration services In Jersey and Guernsey to a range of corporate and high net worth individuals. It had an annual tumover of c. £22 milIion and employed 200 staff. This role included chairing the committee responsible for the management of the Division. I also served on the executive committee which managed the whole of Kleinwort Benson. I left this role to take up the offer of a partnership at Deloitte.


October 1997 to December 2000
Partner, KPMG Channel Islands
Director, Orbis Management Limited

In September 2000, Orbis was sold to Kleinwort Benson. During the sale process I was one of the 5 partner team that, as part of the sale process, presented to potential purchasers.

Simultaneously and with the consent of the vendor partners, I led a management buyout team. We prepared a business plan, presented to a number of City institutions and successfully raised the requisite debt and equity funding. However, the MBO was ultimately defeated on price by Kleinwort Benson.

My business case to become a partner was dependent on growing the business which required considerable personal business development and marketing effort.


August 1988 to September 1997
Various roles within KPMG London and Guernsey, starting as a trainee accountant in 1988 following graduation from university, until my appointment as a partner in 1997.


Voluntary roles

  • 2008 – 2012 Deputy Chair and member of Council for STEP Worldwide (2006-); director of the Board (2008 – 2012) (Which effectively performs the role of a non-executlve board to oversee and challenge the Chief Executive and his team); chairman of the Govemance Working Party (which oversaw the introduction of a new governance structure for the Society.)
  • 2009 – 2012 Member of the Guemsey Tax Tribunal (2011- Vice President) (which hears appeals from taxpayers following decisions of the Director of Income Tax.)
  • 2009 – 2012 Member designate of Guernsey’s independent Police Complaints Commission (which was established to independently oversee the complaints process) and which became operational on 1 July 2011.
  • 2010 – 2012 Non-states member of the States of Guemsey Legislation Select Committee (This reviews draft legislation before final approval by the States of Guernsey, the island’s legislature.)
  • 2010 – 2013 Trustee, the Samantha Dickson Brain Tumour Trust. (This is the largest brain tumour research charity In the UK.)
  • 2010 – 2012 Member, Guernsey Recycling Advisory Forum. (This advised Guernsey’s Public Services Department to help improve Guernsey’s waste recycling rates)
  • 2011 – 2012 Treasurer, Guernsey Smallholders. (2011-12: Acting Chairman) (This is a network of smallholders in Guernsey interested in small scale growing and animal husbandry for home or local consumption.)
Contact

Email:
gavinstpier@gmail.com
Phone:
715057
Mobile:
07839 240167

Twitter Feed
Messages of Support
  • "Having spent the last four years as a non-States member on the board of the Social Security Department, I have had the opportunity to observe Gavin at close quarters. I have found him clear thinking, decisive, pragmatic and most important, highly principled. I have no hesitation in recommending Gavin and confirm he will have both my support and vote in the forthcoming election."

    Mike Brown, Non-States Member, Social Security Department

  • "I have known Gavin for about 13 years in a working and social capacity. I know him to be a man of great integrity, honesty and passion for things he believes in. I will be voting for him and will encourage everyone I know to do the same as I believe Gavin will work tirelessly for the people of Guernsey and will undoubtedly make a difference for us all."

    Paul Spruce

  • "With his experience - of what represents the cornerstone of our economy - if he is prepared to serve in the States, he should be welcomed. We have no other significant industry, and no prospect of one, and if the finance industry fails, people are going to be very hard up and we will probably lose our independence.”

    Advocate William Simpson, Ogier

  • "I will vote for Gavin. Gavin is unafraid to challenge and debate the difficult decisions that must be made to secure Guernsey's long term future. His opinions and thinking is well considered and rationale. Gavin continues to demonstrate he has the interest of the island and the community at heart.I will vote for Gavin. Gavin is unafraid to challenge and debate the difficult decisions that must be made to secure Guernsey's long term future. His opinions and thinking is well considered and rationale. Gavin continues to demonstrate he has the interest of the island and the community at heart."

    Anne Ewing, Company director

  • "I voted for Gavin in the last election, and I will be voting for him again in this election.The last few years have had their ups and downs for Gavin, both politically and personally, but throughout he has maintained accountability, transparency, dignity and humour, despite some very personal attacks on social media. He is a genuinely good guy, who has to make some very difficult decisions which he knows may make him unpopular. But he is not afraid to make those decisions, because he believes that they will make Guernsey a better place for all of us. Which is why he has my vote. Guernsey needs to make big changes in order to progress and thrive. Gavin is driven by his love of his family and his love of Guernsey. Happiness and health are at the core of Gavin’s vision for the future of the Island. There will be ups and downs along the way, but I have the up most faith that Gavin is the right person to change Guernsey for the better."

    Ali Martin, part time fitness coach, full time mum

  • "I have found Gavin to be a straight talking, honest and principled individual. Well intentioned and genuine in his desire to make Guernsey a better place. Whilst I may not agree with all of his views (and in particular his recent stance in the Education debate,) I have found him to be intelligent and articulate when putting forward his opinions. Guernsey needs more talented individuals of this calibre to stand for election, and I would suggest that Gavin’s integrity stands in stark contrast to the muddled thinking and populist dogma peddled by some."

    Tim Robins, Commercial Pilot