IoD January breakfast webinar hosts Chief Economist

Friday 21 January 2022

The Institute of Directors in Guernsey will host the Institute’s Chief Economist, Kitty Ussher, as guest speaker at their January breakfast webinar.

The core themes will explore the latest UK economic outlook and how this will affect directors and their operations locally.

Ms Ussher previously served as a UK Labour government minister representing Burnley in Parliament. She was Economic Secretary to the Treasury in 2008 and later had a role at the Department for Work and Pensions.

Since then, she has worked in the UK as a macroeconomist and public policy researcher for several large corporates and charities. She has served on the FCA consumer panel and, in addition to her work at the IoD, is also a NED for a fast-growing asset manager. 

Richard Hemans, Chair of IoD Guernsey’s Economic subcommittee, will join Ms Ussher in discussing how the latest UK economic outlook translates into trends for the Bailiwick’s economy. 

Mr Hemans is a Chartered Accountant and Chartered Director. Since 2013, he has been the Group Finance Director and Company Secretary of Blue Diamond, the UK’s second largest garden centre group, which is Guernsey-based. 

Ms Ussher said: “The UK business environment is being impacted by a number of external factors that affect the outlook for the economy in 2022, be it covid, Brexit and even ongoing political issues.

"It’s great to have the opportunity to deep dive into what the economic outlook is for the UK over the next year, so that leaders can better prepare their businesses for every eventuality and put systems in place to protect their future prosperity.”

Wendy Dorey, Chair of the IoD in Guernsey, commented on the utility of the webinar, seeing it as indispensable to business leaders as they develop strategies for the future.

“Understanding the economic outlook for the UK, including the key challenges and opportunities for the Bailiwick, will be crucial to help leaders navigate the next 12 months. We began 2021 with a seminar on decision-making in a challenging ‘VUCA’ world, and these conditions look set to continue well into 2022,” she said. 

“This is a great opportunity for Guernsey’s leaders to hear from a high-profile and knowledgeable off-island speaker. Kitty has tremendous insight and expertise on the UK economy, and I look forward to welcoming her to our first event of the new year.”

The January breakfast event will take place virtually at 08:30-09:30 on Friday 28 January.