The Institute of Directors Jersey 2026 Future Leaders Scheme, sponsored by KPMG in the Crown Dependencies, culminated in a celebratory awards ceremony at the Royal Yacht Hotel & Spa.
The event saw students presented with their certificates and awards alongside representatives from KPMG in the Crown Dependencies and Andium Homes. Open to all Year 12 students, the scheme offers a unique opportunity to spend a week shadowing a Director or Senior Manager, providing invaluable career insight.
The Future Leaders scheme, which has now been running for 46 years, saw a record level of business engagement across the island. Participating host organisations that supported were from a wide range of sectors including Legal, Finance, Public Sector, Communication & Media, Third Sector, Veterinary, Banking, Accounting & Audit, Construction & Trades, Technology & Digital, The Arts, Dairy & Farming, Engineering, Physiotherapy, Heritage and Architecture.
Over one hundred students were celebrated at the event, receiving certificates of participation, alongside commended recipients. The ceremony also welcomed two Year 6 student winners from the Jersey Oracy Network Initiative Speak Up Speak Out, Austin Le Tiec and Dolly-Rae Budworth, who both delivered inspiring speeches to attendees at the celebration.
The top award winners were:
- 1st Place Trophy: Ojashwi Thapa – Beaulieu Convent School (placement with Government of Jersey – Health)
- 2nd Place Trophy: Ethan Hernandez – Victoria College (placement with Government of Jersey – External Relations)
- 3rd Place Trophy: Mary Wild – Jersey College for Girls (placement with Corbett Le Quesne)
Andium Homes Sponsored Prizes were also awarded as follows:
- Best Interview: Tinashe Chitagu – Highlands College (placement with KPMG)
- Best Director Feedback: Ruby Grist – Hautlieu School (placement with Mourant Governance Services)
- Best Report: Finley Stone – De La Salle College (placement with C5 Alliance/BDO)
Geraldine Evans from Prosperity 24/7, Chair of IoD Jersey’s Student Sub-Committee, commented: “Collaboration between education and industry plays an important role in shaping future opportunities. The Future Leaders scheme demonstrates this partnership by enabling students to develop leadership experience. This year we saw unprecedented interest, with 142 students applying, double the number from last year, and 112 successfully completing the scheme. Our congratulations go to all participants, and appreciation is extended to the teachers, students, and directors who contributed, as well as to KPMG in the Crown Dependencies for their continuing sponsorship.”
Nick Stevens from KPMG in the Crown Dependencies highlighted KPMG’s continuing commitment to the programme: “Through our sponsorship of the IoD Future Leaders Scheme, KPMG in the Crown Dependencies is proud to support and positively influence young people as they explore what the future world of work could look like for them.”
