About Us
The Fort Group can boast a long and loyal serving team. Supported by the current Board of Directors and Management, our staff offer an impressive blend of professional qualifications and a wealth of knowledge within the finance industry.
WHY FORT GROUP?
INDEPENDENCE
Being privately owned by Bailiwick residents we have the unique advantage of being able to offer clients total confidentiality within the laws of the Bailiwick. We are not affiliated to any banks, lawyers or accountants and because of this independence we are able to work with the broadest spectrum of professionals in order to meet the needs and requirements of our clients.
PERSONAL AND BESPOKE SERVICE
Our strength lies in our ability to provide a personal, cost effective and flexible service and we do not intend to become a large rigid organisation where personal service is lost. Another strength of ours is the quality of our staff; the Fort Group has a strong and reliable management team along with experienced and qualified administrators, who work alongside each other to offer clients the best possible service.
OUR PROFESSIONAL NETWORK
Many of our private and corporate clients receive sophisticated financial and taxation advice from their own lawyers, accountants, stockbrokers and bank managers. The Fort Group acts as a fulcrum in the network of advisers, working with all professional advisers to develop a co-ordinated, planned and controlled solution to the client’s needs.
SERVICE RANGE
The range of services we offer is exceptionally broad, and our success is based on maintaining a flexible and personal relationship with each one of our clients. Learn more about our services by clicking the links at the top of the page.
REGULATION AND LICENSING
The Fort Group conducts its business in a prudent manner. We ensure that our client acceptance criteria and internal due diligence complies with the recommendations and standards established in a premier offshore location such as Guernsey.
Why Guernsey?
Guernsey is considered to be a leading international finance centre in the world today. Situated approximately 20 miles from France and 90 miles from the coast of Southern England the island forms part of the British Isles. Guernsey is a self-governing dependency of the British Crown and does not form part of the United Kingdom. By constitutional convention established over the millennium the Island has complete autonomy in all matters of government, including taxation.
The Team
Jos joined the Fort Group in 1994, and acts as the Managing Director. He serves as a director and trustee of a number of private investment, property, trading and consultancy entities. His career began in the audit department of Moores Rowland, where he qualified as a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants. He is also a fellow member of the Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators. Jos has lived in Holland and South Africa before settling in Guernsey, and is married with one daughter. He is also a keen triathlete.
Coryn joined the Fort Group in 2016. She is a Client Relationship Director and serves as a Director of a number of private investment, trading and consultancy entities. She is a member of the Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators. Coryn has lived all over the world and settled in Guernsey to raise her family and pursue her career.
Paddy joined Charter Trust Company Limited in 1985, this company merged with the Fort Group in 2012. She serves as a director and trustee of a number of private investment and property entities. Her career in finance began in 1976 when she assisted her late husband with the establishment of Horlock & Co Chartered Accountants. She is a member of the Society of Trust & Estate Practitioners (STEP). Paddy is married with two daughters. Her interests include travelling, reading, swimming and charitable and social activities.
Will joined The Fort Group in 2020 and is a Client Relationship Director responsible for a diverse portfolio of high value international structures holding investments, properties, trading entities, and chattels. Will has over 25 years of experience in the Finance Industry in Guernsey with 20 of those being in the Fiduciary Industry. Will is a full member of STEP.
Sadie joined Balchan Management Limited in 1996, which company merged with the Fort Group in 2006, and she acts as Office Manager. She serves as a director and trustee of a number of private investment, property, trading and consultancy entities. She obtained a diploma in Offshore Finance and Administration from the Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators. Sadie was born and educated in Guernsey, she has one daughter and her interests are walking and baking.
Penny joined the Fort Group in 2010 and she acts as Manager of our Alderney office. Her role includes managing the take-on of all new business. She is also a Client Relationship Director of a number of private investment, property, trading and consultancy entities. Penny has 31 years financial experience working at Midland Bank, HSBC and the Royal Bank of Canada. She holds a Professional Diploma in Financial Services Management, the International Diploma in Financial Administration and is an Associate of the London Institute of Banking & Finance.
Peter joined the Fort Group in 2011, and acts as Non-Executive Director. His career in finance began in 1968 when he worked for the Bank of England. When he left the Bank in 1987 he became compliance officer with JP Morgan, PaineWebber, John Govett and then with Framlington. He joined the Guernsey Financial Services Commission in 2000 as Director of Investment Business. He retired from this role in 2011. Peter has two children and his interest is sailing.
Ian joined the Fort Group in 2018 and acts as Non-Executive Director. He has thirty years’ experience of company, commercial and financial services law and acknowledged expertise in directors’ duties and corporate governance. Ian has often been recognised as a leading banking and financial services lawyer by Legal 500 and International Financial Law Review. He has experience of acting as chairman and/or non-executive director of banks, captive insurers, insurers, fiduciary services providers and investment funds. Ian also has experience of leadership, team development and mentoring. Ian has published his book “Kirk on Guernsey Company Law” in 2009 and a second edition in 2016. Ian has one child and his interest is football.