Experienced locally based innovators appointed to new Innovate Guernsey Board

Justin Bellinger was appointed as Chair of the Board earlier this month and has chaired the panel that has now completed the recruitment of a further six board members, all of whom collectively represent a cross-section of the wide range of entrepreneurial talent within Guernsey.

The Innovate Guernsey Board has been established by the Committee for Economic Development to develop a foundation for innovation, with the aim to drive economic progress across all sectors of the economy.

Innovation is known to be a key driver of economic growth – contributing to increased productivity, job creation, competitiveness, entrepreneurial activity, and improved quality of life. The development of an innovation plan supports the Committee for Economic Development’s responsibilities to develop and implement policies on matters relating to productivity, inward investment, innovation, diversification and regulation in the economy.

The new board brings together a diverse mix of skills and experiences, with the aim to unite industry, the community, and the States of Guernsey in a  collaborative effort to advance the innovation plan.

Board membership is as follows:

• Justin Bellinger – Chair of the Innovate Guernsey Board, Director of NionNet, Non Executive Director of Guernsey Electricity, and Director of the Guernsey Chamber of Commerce. Justin’s previous roles include 15 years at Sure, where he spearheaded the development of the Channel Islands’ largest data centre, the local rollout of 3G and 4G mobile networks, and the Guernsey Fibre programme.
• Nicholas Collinson – A specialist in fields such as tokenisation and tokenomics, delivering blockchain applications and use cases as well as consulting for a digital identity solution. Nicholas has also provided mentorship for local start-ups via the Digital Greenhouse, and through organisations such as Envestors.
• Daniele Harford-Fox – Principal of The Ladies’ College, Daniele has led the launch of the Future Ready Curriculum in KS3, collaboration on TEDx events with PwC, and the development of the Pathways Curriculum. Under Daniele’s leadership, the school has become a test bed for Ed Tech and has built collaborative partnerships with industry and leading universities.
• Katie Inder – Founder and Director of Concise, which works with businesses to modernise systems, optimise processes, and harness data for better decision-making. Katie is also the Founder of Data & Doughnuts, a networking initiative that brings together professionals to exchange ideas and explore opportunities in data and innovation.
• Philip Le Pelley – Co-Founder of two fintech firms – one in asset backed debt and another in digital assets. Phil is experienced with collaborating with a diverse set of stakeholders from liaising with government agencies such as regulators, to assisting private individuals with capital allocation.
• Susan Watson – Director and Consultant at Sofsync, Susan is known for her technology expertise and has led initiatives across digital transformation, AI  adoption, cybersecurity, and operational effectiveness. She also brings board-level insight through her roles as a Non-Executive Director and Advisory Board Member, along with strong public sector relationships through her work as a Douzenier and School Governor.
• Marc Winn – Innovations Director at UnLtd at Ron Short Centre. Marc champions driving community-focused innovation, particularly in digital inclusion, and has a strong track record in fostering collaboration across government, business, and community sectors.

Justin Bellinger, Chair of the Innovate Guernsey Board, said: “Guernsey has a proud history of innovation. From maritime enterprise and privateering to leadership in global finance we’ve consistently found smart, forward-thinking ways to pioneer beyond our scale.

“This board is about building on that legacy with purpose and pace. We’re not here to admire problems or write reports that gather dust. We’re here to unlock ideas, remove barriers, and deliver outcomes that matter. With the depth of talent around the table and the energy in our wider community, I believe Guernsey can lead – not follow – when it comes to shaping a smarter, more resilient future.”

Deputy Sasha Kazantseva-Miller, Member of the Committee for Economic Development and Lead for Digital, Skills and Entrepreneurship, said: “I’m delighted to confirm the appointment of all Board Members, following a highly competitive selection process. As with the appointment of the Chair, we saw outstanding candidates, and I hope the new Board will find ways to harness the skills, ideas, and enthusiasm of those keen to contribute in other ways.

“The Committee sees innovation as essential to Guernsey’s economic and sustainable growth. This Board will play a key role in shaping that future. Creating industry-led boards reflects our collaborative approach – working with industry and the community to deliver on our mandate. With such strong professional and public interest, I hope we can all get behind the board as it develops and delivers an ambitious, yet realistic, Innovation Plan over the coming months.”