Guernsey Finance hosts its 2026 Guernsey Funds Forum under the theme "The Next Trillion", following the island's recent milestone of reaching £1 trillion within its investment sector. The event explored how the island can continue to support managers, investors and specialist structures as private capital plays an increasingly important role in long-term economic growth. Speakers examined the opportunities and pressures shaping the international funds landscape, from regulatory convergence and geopolitical uncertainty to evolving investor expectations, sustainability standards and the need for greater operational resilience. Barnaby Molloy, chief executive of Guernsey Finance, says: "We have recently surpassed £1 trillion in our investment industry, a significant milestone and one that speaks to the strength, flexibility and credibility of Guernsey's offering. A sizeable part of that trillion comprises entities which are ancillary to funds, including deal-by-deal and club arrangements, as well as specialist vehicles that sit alongside regulated fund structures, an area where Guernsey's specialist expertise and flexibility continue to stand out." Molloy also says: "Increasingly, Guernsey is helping capital to reach areas where it is needed most, whether that is long-term investment, underserved sectors or specialist areas such as defence, where access to capital has become both more constrained and more important." John Godfrey, managing director for public affairs, policy and research at TheCityUK, delivered a keynote address highlighting the island's contribution to the UK and wider international financial services ecosystem. Godfrey also announced that Guernsey Finance has joined TheCityUK's Defence and Resilience Group, which aims to tackle longstanding policy issues affecting the UK's economic resilience, security and defence capabilities. The first panel, 'Flexible fund structuring', examined how Guernsey's range of fund structures continues to support innovation across private capital strategies. Panellists discussed the importance of speed to market and close collaboration between industry and the regulator. Marc Schubert, partner at Weil, Gotshal & Manges, says: "In Guernsey, they know what they're doing. They've been doing it for a very long time, and they bring a very pragmatic focus, which is really important. "Over the last few years, primary fundraising has become more difficult. When it comes to single-asset deals, co-investments or other bespoke structures, timeframes are determined by the underlying deal timetable, and you may not have six to nine months to set a structure up, you may have six to nine weeks. In these cases, Guernsey really comes to the fore with its speed and agility." A wider discussion on Guernsey's role as a gateway to private capital examined how global managers continue to prioritise jurisdictions that combine regulatory credibility with practical commercial expertise. The panel also explored investor demand for greater transparency and operational resilience, the role of advanced technologies in managing future growth, and the importance of sustainability standards at a time of disruption in the energy supply chain. Ruth Murray, investment director at Gresham House, says: "From a sustainability perspective, the standards and rigour that Guernsey has with its green funds and Natural Capital Fund designation is a real differentiator. That level of credibility is so important in making these sorts of funds and attracting the managers who want to come together for a greater purpose." Alongside the main programme, attendees took part in seminar sessions on emerging areas of opportunity. The first, 'From geopolitics to portfolios: investing in an era of strategic competition', explored how geopolitical developments are influencing investment strategies, including the growing focus on defence-related opportunities. The second, 'Your first fund: why Guernsey works', focused on the practical stages of launching a first-time fund in Guernsey. The Forum closed with a keynote address from Dr Jo Salter MBE, former director of global transformative leadership at PwC and the UK's first female fast jet pilot, who shared insights on leadership, resilience and decision-making under pressure.
