IoD chooses tomorrow's business leaders

Thursday 16 December 2021

Three students have been chosen as likely business leaders of tomorrow.

The Directors of Tomorrow initiative was created by The Ana Leaf Foundation to showcase young business talent on the island.

The 2021 leading candidates are two Ladies’ College students, Liv Strappini and Hetti Ross, and a student from Blanchelande College, Ben Stark. 

This year the scheme invited ten students, who were selected by their teachers due to their interest in business or economics, to attend the Directors of Tomorrow lunch and the IoD conference in the evening.

The lunch was hosted by environmental economist Dr Matthew Agarwala. The conference focused on sustainability and how it is integral to the island’s global brand and the wider economy. Dr Agarwala and Tom Rivett-Carnac, one of the architects of the Paris Climate Agreement, were the keynote speakers.

“I was pleased to have the opportunity to attend the Institute of Directors Convention," said Ben Stark.

"I was interested to see how a small and somewhat insignificant island could have an impact on such a titanic issue like climate change. My query was answered as an advocate of each of Guernsey’s sectors gave ways in which Guernsey could make a global impact.”

The students wrote blogs based on their experience at the events, which were judged by the IoD Chair in Guernsey, Wendy Dorey, along with representatives from The Ana Leaf Foundation.

The three students’ accounts of their experience are hosted on the IoD website and they will have further opportunities with the IoD in the next year.

Pictured: Wendy Dorey, Chair of the Guernsey branch of the Institute of Directors. 

Ms Dorey said: “The Directors of Tomorrow initiative is a great way for students to become immersed in the changing business world. All the blogs demonstrated a good understanding of the issues that were discussed on the evening. The students are very engaged in the ways Guernsey can become more sustainable and I highly encourage them to take up the opportunities available to them on the island.”

Hayley de Putron, a Trustee of The Ana Leaf Foundation, said: “The initiative is now in its 11^th year and provides students with a chance to voice their own opinions to industry professionals. I’m pleased the students found the experience informative and interesting and hopefully, with the knowledge they have now, they will take into account the environment when making personal and business decisions.”

Pictured top: The three students (left to right) - Ben Stark, Liv Strippini and Hetti Ross with Dr Matthew Agarwala.