Guernsey students have been learning valuable lessons from a key individual from the UK’s most high-profile corporate governance case studies.
The students were identified by the Institute of Directors (IoD) as ‘Leaders of Tomorrow’ and given the opportunity to attend the recent IoD Convention, along with a special lunch, to meet Lee Castleton OBE, one of the central figures in the Post Office Horizon scandal.
The IoD Leaders of Tomorrow Scheme is sponsored by the Ana Leaf Foundation, which aims to empower the next generation of islanders to lead Guernsey into the future. The goal is to broaden students’ horizons by showcasing diverse career pathways, both on and off the island, beyond the traditional university route whilst also creating meaningful connections between the students and local employers.
The exclusive lunch took place at La Valette Bathing pools on the 2nd of October 2025. The ‘Leaders of Tomorrow’ met Lee Castleton OBE and were able to discuss how he diligently campaigned against systemic injustice after being wrongly accused of fraud due to faults with the Post Office’s Horizon software. The students were also joined by Richard Moorhead, a former solicitor and a leading academic in the field of law and professional ethics, who brought with him a valuable perspective on the scandal from an academic standpoint.
Lee shared with the students his compelling but heartbreaking story, which has since been fictionalised into a TV series called Mr Bates vs the Post Office. Lee was also able to quiz the students on what lessons they thought Guernsey’s business community and governing bodies could learn from the scandal and how they might react personally in a similar situation.
Elodie Riley, a student at Elizabeth College, said: “This was a very unique and enriching experience which provided me with an opportunity to broaden my view on corporate governance and current affairs.”
Glen Tonks, Chair of IoD Guernsey, said: “The Post Office scandal highlighted the very ugly consequences of corporate governance failure. It caused immeasurable personal suffering and has undermined trust in existing frameworks of governance and business leadership. We, as a business community, can learn a lot from it, and it has been fantastic to speak to tomorrow’s business leaders to get their take on how Guernsey should react.”
Hayley de Putron, Trustee of the Ana Leaf Foundation, added: “Supporting the Leaders of Tomorrow programme is a privilege. These experiences inspire young islanders to dream big and develop the skills needed to excel in their careers. We are proud to help shape Guernsey’s future leaders.”
