New Jersey Heritage Chair announced

Tuesday 14 February 2023

Jersey Overseas Aid's Director has been confirmed as the new Chair of Jersey Heritage, after three years on the organisation’s voluntary board.

Initially a volunteer with Jersey Heritage when he moved to the Island with his wife, Aurelie, in 2016, Simon Boas said that his time on the board had made him realise what a special organisation it was.

"I’ve worked in dozens of countries, but Jersey is unique - not just for the extraordinary richness of its heritage, but because so many people engage with it," he said.

"Our history is alive, from our world-famous palaeolithic sites to our forts and castles and bunkers, via our Battle of Flowers and honorary police and the Clameur de Haro. Over 17,000 Islanders are members of Jersey Heritage, because people understand how important our past is for our future."

Mr Boas, who has spent most of this career working in the third sector. In his day job with Jersey Overseas Aid, he currently manages a portfolio of over £40 million of grants, assessing the governance, budgeting and controls of dozens of prospective beneficiaries each year.

He said that he was delighted to have been appointed to the role by the board of which he has been a member for three years.

Mr Boas added: "I love explaining to people the richness and depth of Jersey. Many have heard of our finance industry, and some our potatoes and cows, but all are astonished to learn of our unique history and culture, our language and legal system, and an archaeological inheritance which spans the wonders of still-living Neolithic sites to the sobering stone and concrete reminders of war and occupation. Jersey Heritage, like Jersey Overseas Aid, flies a flag for the Island internationally."

Pictured top: Simon Boas, who is succeeding Tim Brown, who stood down as Chair at the end of last year. (Rob Currie)