From Town to City

Collas Day has successfully hit another milestone in the implementation of its 3 year strategy with the opening of a London office, the firm's first presence outside the Bailiwick of Guernsey. The desire to open this office is as a result of the firm's continually increasing relationships with clients in London. The firm has seen a rapid expansion in the number of international business coming from London over the last few years.

Jason Romer, a partner in the Commercial group at Collas Day who chairs the firm's Strategy Committee says "This is a significant move for us. We have very strong links in the city and this office will help us to cement those relationships and develop others. We felt that the time was right to be that bit closer to our international clients. Having a permanent presence in London supported by a visiting number of senior lawyers from Guernsey will increase the opportunities to develop relationships amongst a very substantial population of principals, intermediaries and fellow professionals."

It is not the intention to practice English law or step on client's toes. "We have no intention of encroaching in that area. We have our own expertise and there is ample work for Collas Day to do without trying to compete with the local legal community."

Leading the business development effort in London will be Iain Beresford, who joined Collas Day this summer from Howard Kennedy. He will be returning to London at the start of August having spent a month getting to know what Guernsey and Collas Day provide to clients. With a background in banking and other professional services, Iain has been impressed with what he has seen. "Coming from London and having been focused on those markets, I was not entirely clear on what the Channel Islands has to offer. Working with everyone at Collas Day has been extremely informative and I have been impressed by the innovative approach that the lawyers take to their work and how they approach their client relationships. I am looking forward to getting back to London and really being able to demonstrate the benefits of Guernsey as a place to do business. It will be a big challenge but I am clear that I have the full support of the partners and everyone at Collas Day - with that support, I am confident that it will be a great success."