Jersey businesses are being urged to work together to engage voters and encourage diverse and experienced candidates to stand in the next election.
Jersey’s Institute of Directors (IoD) has launched a campaign aimed at ensuring the Island has excellent leadership to provide the right environment for businesses and the Island as a whole to thrive in a challenging world.
The IoD Jersey campaign already has the support of Jersey Finance, Jersey Business, Leadership Jersey, Lean In Jersey, the Diversity Network and many other stakeholders.
Part of the messaging for the campaign is to encourage a move away from negative, demoralising, personal attacks and instead head towards a healthy and informed debate. Data shows that it is only a very small percentage of Jersey’s population who lead the toxic posts on social media, and IoD Jersey wishes to ensure they do not discourage good candidates from standing for election.
Lisa Springate, Chair of IoD Jersey, said: “We need to change the mindset and culture and encourage people to stand for public office, for the sake of our Island and the future of its economy, young people and our lifestyles. Without good leadership, our businesses and our Island as a whole will suffer. Now more than ever with the pandemic, we need good leaders to be able to provide the right environment for our business to thrive.
“Also, a clear long-term vision for the Island, as helpfully set out in the recent paper published by the independent Economic Council entitled ‘New Perspectives’. This includes innovation, entrepreneurialism, technology, sustainability, education and regeneration”.
IoD Jersey would be very grateful if businesses could help with that aim. It is looking for two types of support:
- businesses that will help it disseminate the campaign to their workforce and spread the word,
- and those who may be able to offer sponsorship for the campaign with an aim of attracting high calibre candidates to stand in the election and a wider and more representative pool of voters.
IoD Jersey is a not-for-profit organisation with approximately 60 volunteers. To mount a powerful and successful year-long campaign, they are aiming to raise £20,000 to ensure island-wide extensive coverage and engagement through print, broadcast and digital channels. There are a number of sponsorship packages available for both small, medium and large donations. It is completely up to individuals/organisations if they would like to remain anonymous as a sponsor or engage in the campaign visibly with IoD support.
For further information about the campaign and sponsorship, email Branch Officer, Zoe Wauton.
