Latest news with #SBJBC
Zawya
03-07-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Jersey Finance and SBJBC host 'Beyond Borders' roundtable in London
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia – Jersey Finance, in partnership with the Saudi British Joint Business Council (SBJBC), hosted a high-level roundtable in London titled 'Beyond Borders: Empowering Saudi Family Wealth in a Globalised World.' The event brought together senior representatives from family offices, financial institutions, legal and regulatory experts, and Saudi business leaders to examine the evolving needs and opportunities for Saudi family wealth as it expands internationally. Held at the Argyll Club's Guildhall Room, the roundtable welcomed a curated group of professionals and government stakeholders in an interactive discussion format, focused on the drivers, challenges, and solutions for cross-border wealth structuring, with Jersey positioned as a trusted and forward-thinking international finance centre. Faizal Bhana, Director – Middle East, Africa and India, Jersey Finance, moderated the discussion. He said: 'Saudi family enterprises are becoming increasingly global in ambition. As Vision 2030 fuels economic diversification and international outreach, Jersey stands ready to support Saudi family offices with robust, transparent, and flexible wealth structures. This roundtable reflects our commitment to long-term partnership, knowledge exchange, and enabling sustainable cross-border investment platforms.' Some of the speakers from the event included Christopher Fisher, Director at Standard Chartered, who shared insights on regulatory considerations, tax planning, and the growing interest of Saudi family offices in setting up international representation hubs, including Jersey. Dr. Najat Benchiba-Savenius, CEO of Gazelle Advisory Group, provided an insider's perspective on the evolving structure of Saudi family offices, the importance of governance, and the growing need for adaptability in cross-border financial planning. Others like MaameYaa Kwafo-Akoto, Partner at A&O Shearman, addressed asset class diversification, co-investment trends, legal complexities, and best practices in structuring global investment mandates. Nancy Chien, Head of International Private Client at Bedell Cristin in Jersey, highlighted Jersey's legal framework, its role in enabling philanthropic and ESG-aligned wealth strategies, and its deep understanding of the specific needs of GCC family offices, and Heather Tibbo, CEO of Crestbridge Family Office Services, reflected on the evolving role of professional service providers, the value of cultural understanding, and how outsourced COO models are increasingly supporting Saudi families in global operations. Joe Moynihan, Chief Executive Officer of Jersey Finance, delivered the closing remarks: 'At Jersey Finance, we are proud of our long-standing and growing presence in the Gulf. Events like this are not just about sharing expertise — they are about building the bridges necessary for sustainable, cross-border growth, rooted in trust and shared opportunity.' The roundtable discussed various topics, including the reasons why Saudi family offices pursue international structures, the changing governance and generational factors influencing family wealth, the role of Jersey structures in balancing transparency, discretion, and regulatory requirements, as well as current investment trends, such as co-investments, alternative assets, and ESG integration. This event builds on the momentum from last year's joint roundtable, 'Setting Up in Saudi Arabia – Practical Insights for Financial Service Firms,' which explored regulatory frameworks, licensing support, and the Kingdom's emergence as a financial hub aligned with Vision 2030. That session helped lay the groundwork for this year's more in-depth exploration of cross-border private wealth. Jersey Finance has been a leading international finance centre for more than 60 years. Today, more than 30 Jersey-based financial firms operate in the Gulf region, with four having recently established operations in Saudi Arabia. The island's forward-thinking, ESG-aligned approach continues to serve ultra-high-net-worth families, family offices, institutional investors, and corporates across global markets. About Jersey: Jersey has been a leading international finance centre for more than 60 years. It has a forward-thinking and ESG-driven approach and is at the forefront of banking, corporate services, fintech, funds, investment management, private wealth, and the specialist areas of Islamic finance and philanthropy. Financial firms in Jersey provide services to clients around the world, plus over 30 Jersey based financial firms also operate in the Gulf region and four have recently set-up in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Media contacts: Yasa Ahmad Edelman Smithfield Email:
Asharq Al-Awsat
05-04-2025
- Business
- Asharq Al-Awsat
Saudi-British Business Council to Turn Sustainability, Green Finance Deals into Reality
The Saudi-British Joint Business Council (SBJBC) has revealed ongoing efforts to translate agreements aimed at advancing sustainability, clean energy, and green financing into tangible projects. This comes alongside the development of new initiatives in artificial intelligence and defense technology, as part of expanding bilateral cooperation between the two nations. Speaking to Asharq Al-Awsat, Cordelia Begbie, UK Executive Director of the SBJBC, stated that the council is currently exploring new sectoral opportunities as part of its 2025-2026 program, while also hosting a series of events aimed at enhancing collaboration between the two kingdoms. SBJBC is set to support its new research unit through upcoming events that will focus on producing both independent and collaborative research papers, revealed Begbie. These papers will address regulatory changes, sector insights, and opportunities for development, as well as highlight government initiatives designed to assist businesses in these areas. According to Begbie, the council's activities are centered on clean technology projects, linking investors with emerging clean tech companies from both Saudi Arabia and the UK. These initiatives also support specialized task forces that discuss policy developments and long-term opportunities in these sectors, with active participation from both public and private sector stakeholders. The Saudi-British cooperation plan has made notable strides in investment, economic, and commercial projects, particularly through the 'Saudi-British Vision 2030' partnership. This initiative has significantly strengthened ties between the two nations in key areas such as technology, energy, infrastructure, and defense. Additionally, the Saudi Public Investment Fund has made substantial investments in British projects, particularly in clean energy, green hydrogen, and infrastructure. The two countries have also deepened their collaboration in renewable energy, with British companies playing a key role in Saudi Arabia's large-scale solar and wind energy projects. Begbie expressed strong optimism about the future of Saudi-British cooperation in climate, clean technology, hydrogen, and ammonia. The collaboration is seen as highly promising, driven by shared goals to address climate change and diversify the economy, with both nations committed to achieving net-zero emissions. While the UK aims to reach this target by 2050, Saudi Arabia is set to achieve it by 2060, creating significant potential for bilateral cooperation. Saudi Arabia is solidifying its position as a global leader in hydrogen production, with vast opportunities for collaboration with the UK, which has extensive expertise in hydrogen policies and technology. Geopolitical and economic ties also enhance this cooperation, as Saudi Arabia's strategic location serves as an energy hub for Europe, Asia, and Africa. Moreover, the UK's environmental policy goals align with Saudi Arabia's climate objectives, further strengthening the partnership. Bilateral agreements, such as the Saudi-British Vision 2030 partnership, are expected to boost investments in clean technologies and sustainability. The SBJBC continues to work with stakeholders to expand its reach and influence within Saudi Arabia. The council also oversees the ongoing growth of the Saudi-British Technology Center, an integral part of the SBJBC since its launch in 2022. The SBJBC remains committed to enhancing private sector contributions and developing stronger commercial ties between the two nations, offering a range of services and providing access to high-level networks from both the public and private sectors in both countries.
