Collaboration, Not Competition In 2026

Over the past year, my work across the Middle East has shown me one thing with complete clarity: this region continues to advance at a pace not seen anywhere else in the world today. Whether in Dubai, Abu Dhabi or Riyadh, the momentum is unmistakable, and it's been very pleasing to see Guernsey as a natural conduit for business flows for the region. At STEP Arabia this year, which Guernsey Finance once again sponsored, I spent the day speaking with advisers, families, intermediaries and industry leaders. What struck me most was how familiar Guernsey is to so many in the region. People know where we are, understand the quality of our regulatory environment and recognise the depth of our private wealth and funds expertise. More importantly, there is a genuine appetite for growing partnerships between Guernsey and the UAE and Saudi Arabia.