The Island of Guernsey

Guernsey, located 75 miles from the English coast, and just 30 miles off the French coast, creating a surprisingly European feel to part of the British Isles. With beautiful scenary, plentiful leisure and sporting activities, as well as a vibrant alfresco dining and bar culture, this 24 square mile island offers an enviable work / life balance, whilst still remaining a leading player in world finance.

Although Guernsey is geographically closer to the French coast than to the south coast of England, it is a dependency of the British Crown. Guernsey is fiercely protective of its unique constitution and although part of the British Isles, it is not part of the United Kingdom, nor is it a member of the European Union. Guernsey governs its own affairs and raises its own taxes, but the United Kingdom is responsible for the island's defence, overseas representation and international affairs.

There are no political parties in Guernsey and therefore the Island is not prone to pendulum swings in regime or policy. The States is responsible for domestic affairs, its economy and tax regime. Guernsey enjoys full fiscal autonomy in tax and regulatory matters. As a Crown Dependency, the Island's ties to the UK are through the Crown rather than the British Parliament, where Guernsey has no representation. The Lieutenant Governor is Her Majesty's personal representative and official channel of communication between the Crown and the UK Government and Guernsey.

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