The Policy Centre Jersey is an independent think tank that has the objective of increasing knowledge about and civic engagement in Jersey, thereby contributing to a more effective policy making with better outcomes for the people of the Island.
It pursues its objective by –
The Centre is not aligned with any political party, grouping or philosophy and is rigorously objective. It seeks to collaborate with similar bodies in the UK and other jurisdictions.
The Centre has published a paper Think tanks and their role in public policy which explains what think tanks are and how they operate generally, before considering the role of the Policy Centre Jersey.
The Centre has a constitution as an unincorporated association and is a registered Jersey charity. The Centre is governed by a Management Committee comprising Alan Merry (Chair), Siobhan O’Sullivan (Secretary), Phillip Callow (Treasurer), Simon Burgess, Kate Wright, Becca De Freitas, Jennifer Bridge and Jing Jing Shi.
Jenny Bevis is the Director of the Centre.
A Research Advisory Grou reviews the Centre’s policies and papers to help ensure relevance and quality. The Group comprises –
Auberon Ashbrooke, Former Plans and Policy adviser for UK MoD and lecturer, University College Jersey
Gabe Manthope, Head, University College Jersey and Quality and Standards Assessor for the Office for Students
Dr Michael Marett-Crosby, Chief executive of a group of charities
Dr Christopher Pich, Associate Professor in Marketing, University of Nottingham
Dr Elizabet Gomes Dos Santos, Doctorate Researcher at University College London and Clinical Lead for Cancer Services and Screening, Jersey
Professor Claire de Than, Professor of Law and Judicial office holder.
Alan Merry is Chair of Jersey Post. He has extensive international senior executive and board-level experience gained across a range of business sectors including financial services, retail, renewable energy and professional services.
Alan was a Director of CPA Global for 8 years, Chair of the Jersey Appointments Commission and more recently, worked closely with the Board and executive team on the incorporation of the Ports of Jersey. Alan also sits on the Committee of Family Nursing and Home Care.
Siobhan O’Sullivan has over two decades of experience driving strategic transformation in financial services companies. As Director of Product Portfolio Management at IQ-EQ, she aligns innovation with business outcomes, fosters cross-functional collaboration, and delivers customer-centric solutions.
Siobhan is a mentor with the Santander Breakthrough Women Business Leaders mentoring programme, a member of IQ-EQ’s employee-led DE&I Steering Committee and has previously chaired a charitable foundation supporting education.
Phillip is Managing Director of Moore Stephens Audit & Assurance (Channel Islands). He has over 35 years’ experience working within the financial services industry. Phillip is current Chair of the Jersey Child Care Trust and a former Chair of Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust and the Association of Jersey Charities.
Over the course of his career, Phillip has served as Chair, Director, Company Secretary and Chief Executive of a number of organisations ranging from small private companies to international operations.
Simon Burgess is a consultant providing strategic advisory services to organisations, funds and real estate investors, having previously held senior management roles in global financial services businesses. He is the Independent Chair of the Jersey Homelessness Strategic Board, a member of the Jersey Housing Strategic Partnership Board and sits on a number of committees of industry bodies.
He is a Chartered Director, Chartered Surveyor, Member of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators and Fellow of the Institute of Directors.
Jennifer Bridge MBE is an accomplished Chair with extensive experience across the creative arts, third sector, and political spheres. Jennifer contributes regularly to public discourse through her columns and articles in local media, focusing on inclusion and open government. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she completed postgraduate studies in research methodologies, which has enhanced her evidence-based approach to public commentary.
Jennifer is a co-organiser of Jersey repair café – a community group where volunteers fix broken items like clothes, electronics, and bikes for free, promoting sustainability and reducing waste.
Chris Clark is the Founder and CEO of Prosperity 24/7, a leading Jersey-based consultancy offering support across the entire lifecycle of strategic, business and technology change initiatives. He is regularly engaged to work on organisational strategy to improve engagement with clients, and to provide international presentations regarding shifts in technology. Chris has specialist knowledge and experience within the financial, public, regulatory and legal sectors. He is a former Chair of the Jersey Institute of Directors.
Wendy is a Chartered Accountant with extensive experience in UK and international taxation, principally in the financial services sector, advising clients across banking, investment management and real estate. Wendy retired as partner and leader of the PwC Channel Islands tax practice in 2015, following which she spent ten years as non-executive director and audit committee chair of listed companies, including Jersey Electricity.
Wendy is former President of the Jersey Society of Certified and Chartered Accountants, and former Chair of the Jersey Institute of Directors.
Jing Jing has 20 years of experience in financial industry – Investment Banking, Private Banking, Hedge Fund and Financial Planning. She is currently Director of Operations at Advisa Wealth.
Jing Jing acts as the Economic Advisor for the Institute of Directors Jersey as well as an Audit and Risk Advisory Panel Member of Office of the Children’s Commissioner for Jersey.
Becca is an English Solicitor and will shortly be sworn inas a Jersey Advocate at Viberts law firm, with over a decade of experience within the Jersey legal industry.
Becca is an employment law specialist and advises a range on a broad spectrum of contentious and non-contentious employment matters. She is a member of the Employment Lawyers Association and regularly presents to delegates in Jersey on relevant employment and discrimination issues.
Jenny Bevis has wide ranging experience in policy and regulatory issues, including within the Government of Jersey on areas such as cross Government preparation for Brexit, the control of pesticides, and rural and environmental grant schemes.
She has also led strategic review projects for both Governments of Jersey and Guernsey, supporting departments through complex transformation involving strategy development, investment appraisal, capacity and capability assessments, and project delivery.
Jenny is a Director and Principal Consultant at Tautenay Ltd, a specialist consultancy with expertise in regulation, strategy, and policy across the agriculture, environment, fisheries and food sectors.
Kate is Chief Executive of Freeda, Jersey’s independent domestic advise charity. Before joining Freeda in October 2024, Kate chaired Jersey’s Violence Against Women and Girls Taskforce, delivering its landmark findings and 77 recommendations in November 2023. She established a HR consultancy Arbre Consulting, in 2008 and in 2017 co-founded The Diversity Network.
Kate holds a number of public and voluntary roles in Jersey including Chair of the Jersey Community Relations Trust, Adult Advisory Panel member for the Office of the Children’s Commissioner and Commissioner of the Jersey Appointments Commission.
The research students are university students or recent graduates who contribute to the work of the Centre contributing to and drafting reports.
Third-year International Relations and Politics student at the University of Sheffield, editor at Polis Analysis. Spent seven months in the Justice Policy Team for the Government of Jersey.
Studying BSc Economics at the University of Bath with a keen interest in public economics and fiscal policy. Experience in Government of Jersey on data projects about fiscal balance and long-term economic matters.
Second year student studying Politics and International Relations at the University of Bath. Former member of the Jersey Youth Parliament, who has interned twice within the Government of Jersey.
We are keen to hear from you. Whether it’s becoming a member, sponsor, or just interested in talking Policy we would like to hear from you.
