At the first in-person Digital Jersey Annual Review since 2019, global industry experts urged the Island to seize the opportunities it has in developing major new areas of the economy by using its current strengths and executing strategic digital vision.
Around 200 people attended the two-hour review at Cineworld, where they heard about the successes of the past year, despite the pandemic, as well as the huge opportunities for the Island. They also learned how technology isn’t just about the digital sector or new businesses, but is helping traditional industries, like agriculture, improve productivity and reduce resources through the Smart Fields project.
2021 Highlights included the launch of the Jersey for Fintech microsite, the Island leading the world in broadband speeds, and initiatives such as Open Banking, the launch of the funding platform initiative, Springboard, and work with Andium Homes to install damp censors in order to anticipate problems for tenants. Despite the pandemic, last year was the most successful period in advertising Jersey as a place to live and relocate a business.
Tony’s opening remarks for the event highlighted what was achieved in 2021 and touched on what is to come for 2022.
These new initiatives include working with government to ensure the Technology Accelerator Fund kickstarts the ecosystem here by using tech to solve the Island’s productivity and environmental challenges, and the potential of States owned enterprises working together to develop new technology, whether that’s through infrastructure such as fibre broadband or the smart metering network.
Alan Brown kicked off the Annual Review highlighting the digital acceleration of the past two years and what it means for Jersey. He said:
“The danger in Jersey is that you want to retain your lifestyle and what you like, but you have to move on. The challenge is to know when to change what made you successful. Jersey needs to work together and drive change and underpinning that is the right skills base because it is all about people. Strategy without execution is just hallucination.”
The Smart Fields initiative was highlighted showing the video of our IoT and Drone project with Jersey Royal growers.
Rachel Harker went in depth about the opportunities available for Jersey within data stewardship. She said:
“We are living through the data revolution. By 2025 the world will be generating 175 trillion gigabytes of data each year. We steward a trillion dollars of financial assets in Jersey. That can be matched with data stewardship. With our internationally respected legal system and judiciary and the trusts and foundation experts who serve the financial sector, Jersey could pivot its skills and develop a data stewardship sector.”
Dave Birch gave a short talk on Finance in the Metaverse at the Annual Review. We’ve also included his Tech Talk in full below.
Tribute to Gary Burgess
Annual Review Highlights
Digital has become a thread running through every aspect of our lives and never more so than since the pandemic caused us to rethink how we do business, learn and connect with friends and family. Digital technology and businesses are becoming increasingly significant in driving productivity and economic growth across all business sectors as well as improving our quality of life and enabling us to develop more sustainable ways of living and interacting with our world.There is much still to achieve, and more that we can do, together, to ensure that we reach our goals.
We look forward to continuing to work with our members and stakeholders, with government colleagues and many others across our island to do all we can to build a digital Jersey.
Take a view of our Annual Report 2021 in full below.
If you’d like to get involved with any of the initiatives highlighted at our Annual Review, then please get in touch.
Kelly Barker
Head of Marketing & Communications
Vikki Speckleton
Events and Facilities Manager
Chris Knight
Head of Business Development