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Marc Lainé, managing director of the C5 Alliance Group and chair of the Guernsey Chamber of Commerce ICT sub-group, has hailed a recent visit of his to Westminster a positive step for the island’s technology sector.
Marc Lainé, managing director of the C5 Alliance Group and chair of the Guernsey Chamber of Commerce ICT sub-group, has hailed a recent visit of his to Westminster a positive step for the island’s technology sector.
Mr Lainé attended the reception – hosted by Andrew Rosindell MP on behalf of the All-Party Parliamentary Channel Islands Group – with various other Channel Island representatives including Deputy Peter Harwood, Chief Minister of Guernsey and Senator Philip Bailhache, Minister for External Relations in Jersey.
The event provided a platform for the representatives to discuss Channel Island-UK business links progress with a number of UK politicians, including the Minister for the Crown Dependencies, Lord McNally.
“The visit was a very useful opportunity for us to reinforce messages about Guernsey’s position in the business world: its dedication to tax transparency, its contribution to the UK economy and the current issues that we face as an island,” said Mr Lainé.
“Importantly, the delegation comprised representatives from outside of the finance industry, myself included, which gave us the chance to illustrate Guernsey’s diversity and the fact that it’s not just a one-trick pony.
“We have, for example, a thriving IT sector and this message was particularly well-received by the MPs I spoke with,” he said.
Among them was Conservative Party MP Stephen Mosley, a member of the Science and Technology Select Committee.
“I spoke at length with Stephen Moseley and he was particularly interested in our IT sector but also the issues it faces, such as skills shortage and lack of IT literacy. His role involves contact with many global leaders in the technology industry such as Google.
“For me, it was encouraging to have our points so well received but more crucially, I have also made some key contacts in Westminster that could be invaluable in helping facilitate future growth for the IT sector.”
Guernsey’s Chief Minister Deputy Peter Harwood said: “I am delighted that Marc gave up his valuable time to be part of our delegation. Guernsey has a vibrant and innovative business sector, and this was an excellent opportunity to promote it.”
