How would you describe Jersey’s current business climate, and what makes the island an attractive destination for entrepreneurs, investors, and growing companies?
Jersey’s business environment is a really interesting one. To give you a sense of scale, there are around 8,400 businesses operating on the island, quite a dynamic figure for such a small place. This creates a diverse mix of sectors and a highly competitive hub where both local companies and globally recognised businesses thrive.
We benefit from sophisticated regulation, a strong legal framework, and our proximity to both the UK and Europe. There are key enablers here, infrastructure, connectivity, and a supportive business ecosystem, that make it possible for entrepreneurs to flourish and for businesses to be truly entrepreneurial.
Can you tell us more about the mission of Jersey Business and how your organization supports local enterprises at different stages of their development?
Jersey Business is a government-funded growth agency, operating at arm’s length from the Government of Jersey and the Department for the Economy. Our mission is to enable the sustainable growth of Jersey’s 8,400+ businesses by providing practical support and strategic advice.
We’re a team of 14 people, all with significant commercial experience, and we interact with between 2,500 and 3,000 businesses annually. Our work includes delivering expert advice, running growth-focused programs, and distributing funding through initiatives like the Better Business Grant and agricultural loans. We’ve been doing this for 14 years, supporting businesses across every stage of their journey.
As global markets evolve, how is Jersey Business helping companies adapt to shifts in consumer behavior, digital transformation, and international competition?
We focus on three key areas: people, productivity, and data.
First, people. Every business, regardless of size, relies on its people. We run leadership development programs, promote financial resilience, encourage well-being in the workplace, and help foster healthy cultures. Human capital is critical, and we treat it as such.
Second, productivity. Like many Western economies, Jersey faces challenges around productivity. We work with businesses to improve efficiency, scale operations, manage growth and, crucially, explore export opportunities.
Third, data. Because we work with so many businesses, we have a unique view of the broader economy. We use this insight to help businesses see beyond their own operations and understand the wider economic context.
So everything we do, whether it's supporting leadership, enabling export, or offering market insight, ladders up to helping organizations grow with resilience.
You mentioned export earlier. Could you share more about Jersey’s export history and your views on the island’s current export potential?
Jersey has a deep and fascinating export history, going back centuries. The government’s current export strategy (2023–2026) aims to grow both the variety and value of exports, helping to build a more sustainable and outward-facing economy.
Historically, Jersey was involved in shipbuilding and fishing as early as the 1700s. You’ll even see historic “cod houses” across the island — reminders of our North Atlantic fishing trade. We then saw exports in textiles and agriculture, and the founding of the world’s oldest English-speaking Chamber of Commerce in 1768. Cattle and dairy exports became prominent in the 1800s, and by the 1950s, tourism had become a major export in its own right.
Then, in the 1960s, financial services emerged as Jersey’s flagship export. In the 1970s, we began to see innovative e-commerce ventures too, for instance, play.com, which began above a shop in St Helier and eventually became part of global retailer Rakuten.
Today, Jersey continues to export world-class products. Jersey Dairy has grown its export business by over 30% this year alone, supplying premium partners like Hotel Chocolat. We also export high-quality fisheries products and, of course, the iconic Jersey Royal potato, which is currently supported by a £3 million UK advertising campaign.
Jersey has always punched above its weight when it comes to export, and I believe the future holds even more potential, especially with growing demand for premium, sustainable goods in international markets.
What role does Jersey Business play in helping companies connect with international markets and expand their exports?
We're part of Jersey's Export Services Group, a collaborative effort between different government teams and stakeholders, including Jersey Business, External Relations, and the Economy Department. Our role is often as the bridge between businesses and these broader networks.
A great recent example: a delegation of 10 individuals from seven Jersey companies will be attending a major global expo in London next week. This kind of joint initiative showcases how we help businesses reach new markets, both practically and strategically.
While the UK has traditionally been our largest export market, globalization has expanded opportunities. Some of our food products now reach as far as Japan and South Korea. Demand for high-quality, sustainable products is growing globally, and Jersey is well placed to meet that demand.
At a day-to-day level, we support 200–300 export-related interactions a year, helping businesses with everything from compliance and strategy to positioning and promotion.
Let’s talk about workforce development. How is Jersey Business supporting upskilling, digital literacy, and entrepreneurial education across the island?
With over 8,400 businesses on the island, and 89% of them employing fewer than nine people, access to skills and training is essential.
We deliver a wide range of programs, including leadership training, Lean Six Sigma for process improvement, financial resilience, and workplace well-being. These are designed to be accessible to many, a “one-to-many” model that helps smaller businesses build capacity.
In partnership with the Government of Jersey, we’re also deploying £5.3 million in Better Business Grants. A significant portion of that is focused on skills, with matched funding available to help businesses invest in upskilling their teams.
Additionally, we support Jersey’s apprentice ecosystem. There are currently around 450 apprentices on the island, and each business employing one receives a £2,000 annual grant to support their training and development.
For international entrepreneurs and investors and Newsweek readers, what are the main advantages of establishing or partnering with businesses in Jersey? And how can Jersey Business support market entry?
While we’re not the lead agency for inward investment, that would be Locate Jersey, we do play a role when prospective investors or entrepreneurs want to understand the local business landscape.
It’s a highly competitive, globally connected hub with low taxation, sophisticated regulation, and an agile economy. It’s English-speaking but operates as its own jurisdiction, which provides both clarity and flexibility for international businesses.
And from my own experience, having worked in Seattle, London, Sydney, and Pune, I can say Jersey offers a remarkably business-friendly environment, especially for growth-oriented companies. Entrepreneurs and investors will find a unique combination of opportunity, connectivity, and quality of life here.
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