Thursday 04 May 2023
Guernsey business leader Peter Watson has agreed in principle to become the Chair of the Guernsey Development Agency.
It follows the announcement that the current Chair Designate, Stuart Falla CBE, is resigning from the role.
Mr Watson previously expressed an interest in the role of Chair when it was first created and later joined the Guernsey Development Agency as an ordinary board member. Following the decision by Mr Falla, Mr Watson was approached and confirmed that he would be interested in taking on the role of Chair. His appointment in principle is unanimously supported by the Presidents of the three Committees which provide strategic direction to the Agency: Policy & Resources, Environment & Infrastructure and Economic Development. The States will make the formal appointment of the Chair and all board members when it considers a policy letter in July.
Mr Watson is a very successful entrepreneur and business leader. He first moved to Guernsey in 1991 and worked with Specsavers. In 2001, he founded Vets4Pets, a business which is a household name across the British Isles, with more than 400 practices. More recently he founded First Contact Health. In both cases he set the strategy and overall direction for the businesses, as well as managing other aspects including the marketing, IT, sales and business development functions.
Mr Watson said
"I'm very pleased to be taking up the role of Chair of the Development Agency, subject to approval by the States of Guernsey.
While I respect his reasons, I was sorry to hear of Stuart Falla's resignation. But I share his view that the establishment of an independent agency to develop our east coast is crucial to successfully delivering the sort of development that supports Guernsey's economic future. I'm looking forward to working with the States to firmly establish the Agency so we can start to make things happen."
Deputy Peter Ferbrache, President of the Policy & Resources Committee said
"I'm pleased that Peter has accepted the role of Chair Designate. He was a strong candidate when he first expressed an interest for the role and so I was hopeful he would still be interested in taking it on, and leading in moving the Agency forward. His business background is up there with the very best, and we're very lucky to have someone so capable and experienced to pick up where Stuart Falla leaves off."
