Guernsey

Self-governing for more than 800 years, independence and stability are at the heart of Guernsey’s ethos.

Why Guernsey?

As a leading independent global finance centre, The Bailiwick of Guernsey has the benefit of close relationships with both the United Kingdom and European Union, while maintaining protection from the political, legal, and fiscal unpredictability of each.

Guernsey has a stable legal system based on English common law, providing a familiar and reliable framework, which allows for flexibility in structuring trusts and accommodating various asset classes.

The island offers a favourable tax environment and a well-regulated financial services sector. It is also  a leading non-EU jurisdiction for safe and secure data, with  robust and well-implemented privacy laws for individuals and businesses.

The Guernsey Financial Services Commission oversees financial service providers, ensuring compliance with international standards, while maintaining a business-friendly environment, with a skilled workforce in trust administration, legal, and financial services.

Our journey in Guernsey

Since opening our Guernsey office in 1977, we have become one of the largest independent service providers on the island.

With the rapid growth of our Guernsey team, we moved to a prominent office space over 30 years ago, becoming a staple of the island’s east coast. With close proximity to Guernsey’s town centre, our office offers the benefits of staff and visitor parking, with spectacular views of our neighbouring Bailiwick islands.

We have a highly skilled workforce of over 100 experienced professionals, with 57% holding professional qualifications, and a further 16% in progress.

Our commitment to Guernsey

As one of Guernsey’s long-established firms, Saffery Trust is a strong part of the financial sector and the community.

We support a wealth of local charitable causes throughout the year, and provide sponsorship to local sportspeople and teams, with a dedicated Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) budget. Our CSR and Green teams – run by staff volunteers – continually seek opportunities to support the community and protect our environment.

We are the main sponsor of the island’s largest annual fundraiser, the Saffery Rotary Walk, which has raised over £1m. for Guernsey charities since its inception. Our sponsorship ensures every penny raised by walkers reaches the charities, and our staff volunteer their time to help organise the event, take part, and man the finish line on the day.

Client service

Delivering client service excellence is a priority across all our offices.

Despite a portfolio of ultra-high-net-worth individuals and families, we recognise that the value of our clients lies beyond their wealth. Our Guernsey team delivers a bespoke service in partnership with our clients, tailor-made to align with their values and objectives.

Our distinctive structure gives us absolute independence in our trust, company, and tax service offering. This autonomy enables us to handpick specialist advisors and connect our clients to the very best of our carefully curated global network.

Averaging less than three clients per each fee-earning member in our Guernsey team, we can guarantee personalised care and attention. Our team is highly regarded within industry, showcased via regular d inclusion in national and international professional  rankings, as well as participation in  thought leadership across various relevant industry topics and trends.

We maintain a dedicated Client Service Team to consistently improve our client journey and ensuring we meet, or exceed, our clients’ expectations.

Our Guernsey service offering

Our Guernsey office is a leader in multi-jurisdictional, complex structures and non-standard assets including yachts, aircraft, art and commercial businesses. The wealth of experience of our team also allows us to act as successful mediators in contentious work confidently and competently, where other providers may shy away.

We are one of the leading firms for clients with digital assets, including cryptocurrency. Our specialist intermediaries, including lawyers, utilise our expertise in this sector to obtain pre-planning support to facilitate appropriate wealth structing.

Our dedicated family office teams have decades of experience working in partnership with diverse high-net-worth clients, and their trusted advisors, and have an in-depth understanding, and appreciation of, cultural considerations.

Services

• Asset protection including cryptocurrency and digital assets
• Company directorship and administration
• Contentious work
• Family office
• Succession planning
• Tax compliance
• Tax planning
• Trusteeship
• Wealth planning

Sector experience

• Cryptocurrency and digital assets
• Estates
• Foundations
• High-net-worth individuals/families
• Trusts
• Unique assets

We are proud to be accredited as a Platinum Employer by the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP), a global professional accreditation body.