Students learn about east coast development

Thursday 21 December 2023

Seven students enrolled on a IoD training scheme met with the executives of the Guernsey Development Agency this month, offering their views on how they would regenerate the Bridge – a key aim of the arms-length firm.

It’s part of the Leaders of Tomorrow Scheme, sponsored by the Ana Leaf Foundation, and allowed the prospective young business leaders to have an exclusive lunch with GDA director Simon Kildahl and chairman Peter Watson at the Digital Greenhouse.

The students were able to assume roles in the Agency and say what they would do with the area if they were in charge and point out the potential challenges and solutions. 

The IoD December breakfast took place the following day built on those idea, such as developing a hotel on Cambridge Berth.

The overarching vision for the Bridge would be for more pedestrianised areas, restaurants, and for the inner marina to become aimed at leisure visitors.

Hayley de Putron, a Trustee of the Ana Leaf Foundation, said: “Our aim has always been to inspire our island’s young people, and to provide them with great opportunities that will help them excel in their future careers."

Karen Power, Committee member of the IoD Guernsey Branch, added: “It was brilliant to engage with the students at the lunch and breakfast. We have a cohort of well-educated and intuitive students, who are passionate about Guernsey’s future. I’m very excited to see what they go on to do in the next steps of their lives."