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An islander who helps global businesses become more sustainable is challenging Ministers to help stop the 'Bean drain' by making it easier for homegrown talent to return to Jersey after her own "painful" experience trying to come back.
Amy King returned to the island to raise her family just over two years ago. She is Chief Sustainability Officer of a Jersey-based firm which advises international organisations on how to better assess and communicate their environmental and social impact.
Educated at Hautlieu before leaving to study Environmental Chemistry and a Masters in Climate Change, Ms King would like to see the Government better encourage islanders to come back.
Recently released statistics showed that more people left the island than arrived between 2019 and 2021 – with most leavers long-term residents and 'Jersey Beans'.
Last month, Economic Development Minister Kirsten Morel recently told a business lunch that more needed to be done to stop the drain of Jersey taxpayer-funded students, perhaps even converting their grants into loans if they did not return within five or 10 years.
It prompted Ms King to reflect on her own experience and call on Deputy Morel to make systemic changes to encourage more islanders to return.
She said: “I was raised in Jersey and I was immersed in that island upbringing. It is beautiful and gentle compared to many places in the world, and I recognise that privilege hugely.
“I was enabled to go and study, and Jersey funding gave me a world-class education. With that and a well-rounded upbringing, you reach a point where you’ve got to explore the world and continue your learning."
Pictured: Amy King has returned to the island with her family - but she did not find the process that easy.
“I initially went to London as a management consultant in the City. I also worked for the 2012 Olympics, running the taekwondo results team at the age of 28," she continued.
“I then lived in Switzerland for a while, working for UEFA. I got that international exposure and challenged myself to grow and develop.”
She added: “Over time, you meet someone, and you decide it is time to go back to Jersey.
“My husband is from Italy – I showed him the island and all was great. We then tried to come back, but I’m afraid to say it felt painful.
“On top of it being expensive, I was not welcomed back in a way that you would think you’d be if you were the product of the island."
Ms King said that the cool reception wasn’t from any individual but the Jersey system.
“If my husband returned to Italy, which has had a brain drain too, they would give him tax incentives. In Jersey, it felt like there was no incentive to come back beyond those clear factors such as granny being here to lend a hand with the children. It didn’t feel as there was a great pull.
“Where I challenge Deputy Morel and the Government is that I recognise that the brain drain is real and the return on investment should be realised - but how it works in practice is more systemic.
“People go but they want to come back: there is just a lag. They are in different jurisdictions, learning and being excellent professionals, and they want to return… but it just feels hard.
“I would go back to Deputy Morel and challenge him to say, ‘How are you making it easy to come back?’ People should leave and get wider experiences, but they should also have an easier way to return.”
Ms King, who has two children aged four and 16 months, said she could think of some practical solutions which might encourage more islanders to return.
“The first is just finding a way to engage,” she said. “How do you keep that touchpoint with people on an ongoing basis?
“I spoke to someone in a similar situation to me and his differentiator was that he had gone to Victoria College. They have a very active OV network, which includes events in London and Jersey. You feel as though you are part of a community.
“For me, going to Hautlieu, there was nothing – there was no central place I could go to and say, ‘I’m from Jersey’. I’m sure it wouldn’t be hard to develop a Jersey community in London, to keep that cadence, that heartbeat of engagement."
The other element, she says, is "simply telling people what opportunities there are and spreading the message."
“I thought that coming back to Jersey would cut opportunities off but, in fact, the opposite is true: there is so much opportunity here," Ms King explained.
Pictured: Ms King suggests that Jersey develops a strong network of islanders living in London.
“If you work for a big financial institution in London, you will spend 100% of your time within your institution. In Jersey, there are outside networks and ecosystems which allow you to level up your professional game.
“It is a fantastic place but there is not that re-attraction mechanism to make that easier to return.
"I hope that by making systemic changes, Jersey will find it easier attract those exceptionally well-rounded individuals back.”
For other people raised in Jersey, the specialism of their profession makes it difficult to return.
Connie Hayers, who has recently graduated from Falmouth University in Fashion Design, said: “I’m planning on staying in Jersey for at least a few months to live with my family and save up money in a full-time job, but I’ll be going back to the UK as I feel there are more job opportunities within the creative industry related to my course.”
Pictured: Deputy Morel recently proposed a somewhat controversial solution to the 'brain drain' of young people – converting grants given to university students to loans if they do not return to the island.
Referring to Deputy Morel’s suggestion of transferring grants to loans, which he stressed was a personal view, Miss Hayers said: “I think it would be fair in terms of helping the economy in and having a wider age diversity to keep the island alive and thriving.
“However, I think the Government should allow students to make the right decision for their career, whether that be in the UK or elsewhere, and not feel focused to stay depending on their financial situation.”
What are your thoughts on the 'Bean drain'? Has the cost of living led you to consider leaving the island? Or have you also had difficulties in returning?
Share them with Express by emailing editor@bailiwickexpress.com.
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