Guernsey Finance has employed a new permanent representative in Hong Kong.
Dorothy Kwok has eight years’ experience in the trust and corporate services industry, most recently with a company which was bought by global trust business Equiom, which also has a Guernsey office.
Her work with Equiom and another Jersey-based trust company brought her into contact with Channel Islands structures and she spent time working in Jersey.
Fully-qualified with the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP), Miss Kwok is looking forward to promoting Guernsey in her home market.
“Guernsey’s financial services are well respected in Hong Kong,” she said. “I am looking forward to playing my part in ensuring that our offering is known more widely, and that Guernsey is recognised for its expertise.”
A dedicated Guernsey presence in Hong Kong over the past 15 months has paid dividends for Guernsey Finance and has been strengthened by a new appointment.
The promotional agency for the island’s finance industry opened an office in Hong Kong at the end of 2016, linking up with the regulator, the Guernsey Financial Services Commission. The presence in Hong Kong has supported the development of the agency’s ongoing work in China, which began more than 10 years ago
“We have been aiming to increase awareness of Guernsey as an option for the full range of financial services,” said Kate Clouston, Deputy Chief Executive at Guernsey Finance, who is a regular visitor to Asia.
“Our presence in Hong Kong has given us more visibility to the Hong Kong network of intermediaries and has better informed them about the opportunity to work with Guernsey service providers.
“The GFSC has received more than 100 technical inquiries across all sectors over the past 15 months and it has certainly been helpful to have their presence to support our work.
“Our work in China is well-established and we continue to look for opportunities coming directly from the Chinese mainland, while recognising that Hong Kong is considered a gateway to China and that a significant amount of China- related business comes through there.”