One of Guernsey’s most respected and well-known lawyers, Chris Bound, has announced his forthcoming retirement at the end of this year from his role as senior partner at Collas Crill after 30 years with the firm.
During his distinguished career as a Guernsey advocate, Chris has seen the transformation in the island’s financial services industry, its legislation and in the way that law is practised in the Channel Islands.
He was raised in Guernsey and read law at University of Southampton before joining a London-based FTSE-listed group as their in-house counsel. On his return to Guernsey in 1988, he joined what was then Collas Day & Rowland and became an equity partner in 1992.
He headed up the strategy and management of the firm in 2003 and assumed the role of senior partner in 2009.
His tenure at Collas Crill has seen tremendous growth for the law firm, from 40 staff in a single jurisdiction to over 220 in five international finance centres.
Covering contentious and non-contentious cases, Chris’s experience is diverse and spans the corporate, fiduciary, and real estate sectors. Over the past two decades, he has demonstrated his unparalleled commercial property expertise by being involved in every commercial development in Guernsey – whether for developer, tenant or funder including involvement in the redevelopment of the States Market Building.
Away from real estate, Chris was involved in developing the protected cell company (PCC) concept and the legislation surrounding this groundbreaking structure, which has been replicated around the world.
Chris has given back to the local community during his career in Guernsey as a trustee of Les Cotils Trust for 10 years and latterly as a director of Les Bourgs Hospice. He played a key role in setting up and serving on The Guernsey Training Agency, bringing together the Guernsey Financial Services Commission, States of Guernsey and local industry.
“It has been a privilege to serve Collas Crill and our clients for three decades. For me, long-term relationships are fundamental to the delivery of client service. It has been a fascinating time to work in law and help to lead this firm through such a period of spectacular growth, Collas Crill is in safe hands with our group managing partner, Jason Romer, at the helm supported by a superb team,” says Chris.
“Chris has a reputation for leaving no stone unturned in his approach which, combined with his stamina and determination is a formidable combination for a lawyer. His calm demeanour, indisputable expertise and sheer depth of knowledge are the ingredients of a great legacy at Collas Crill,” says Jason Romer.
Chris will remain in his role as a director of Collas Crill Trust.
