Starting and growing a business is rarely a straight path. While Jersey offers a supportive and well-regulated business environment, entrepreneurs still face a unique set of opportunities and challenges when launching and scaling ventures on the Island.
This IoD Jersey breakfast event will explore the realities of starting, scaling and selling a business in Jersey, bringing together founders, business leaders, advisers and ecosystem supporters to share practical insights from their experiences.
Through keynote reflections followed by a panel interview, speakers will share lessons learned from starting and scaling a business, the support available to entrepreneurs in Jersey, and what it takes to prepare for and complete a successful exit.
The session aims to provide honest insights, practical guidance and inspiration for current and aspiring founders, as well as leaders interested in strengthening Jersey’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.
Event Objectives
The event aims to:
- Share practical experiences and lessons from starting and scaling businesses in Jersey
- Highlight the support ecosystem available to entrepreneurs, including Accelerate and Jersey Business
- Provide insight into the challenges founders face in the early stages of building a company
- Explore the exit journey, including selling a business and working with private equity and venture capital investors
- Encourage entrepreneurship and innovation within Jersey’s economy
- Foster connections between founders, investors, advisers and business leaders
Speakers;
- Tom Noel
- Paul Murphy
- Ed Prow
- Amy King
Tom Noel – Founder and CEO, Accelerate
Tom Noel founded Accelerate, a Jersey accounting and consulting business, in 2025.
In his presentation, Tom will reflect on his own experience of starting a business over the last two years, including:
- Why he started Accelerate and how he went about it
- The highs: the moments that made it worthwhile
- The lows: the challenges and setbacks along the way
- The key learnings he would share with anyone starting out in Jersey
Paul Murphy – CEO, Jersey Business
Paul Murphy leads Jersey Business, the Island’s government-backed organisation dedicated to supporting local businesses and entrepreneurs.
His presentation will focus on:
- The role of Jersey Business in supporting start-ups and growing companies
- Key trends in new business formation on the Island
- The resources available for entrepreneurs starting a business in Jersey
- Practical advice for founders navigating the early stages of growth
Ed Prow – Founder, Tekex and The Potting Shed
Ed Prow is the founder of Tekex and The Potting Shed, and an active voice in Jersey’s entrepreneurial community.
His presentation will focus on:
- His experience of starting and growing Tekex
- Building his own marketing agency in an island market
- The strengths of Jersey’s entrepreneurial community and where it could go further
- Practical lessons for founders looking to scale
Amy King – Alex Forbes
Amy King will cover the final stage of the business journey: preparing for and completing a sale, and what life looks like after acquisition.
Her presentation will focus on:
- Preparing a business for sale
- What private equity and venture capital investors look for
- Navigating the transaction process
- Life in a post acquisition environment working alongside PE and VC backers
Audience
This event is aimed at:
- Entrepreneurs and start-up founders
- Aspiring business owners
- IoD members and business leaders
- Investors and advisers
- Professional services firms supporting entrepreneurs
- Individuals interested in innovation and business growth in Jersey
Event Format
- 8:30 – Registration, buffet breakfast and networking
- 9:00 – Welcome by Ian Webb, IoD Jersey Digital Sub-Committee Chair
- 9.05 – Event sponsor: Will Woodford at Hepburns Insurance
- 9:10 – Keynote: Tom Noel, Accelerate
- 9:20 – Keynote: Paul Murphy, Jersey Business
- 9:35 – Keynote: Ed Prow, Tekek and The Potting Shed
- 9.50 – Keynote: Amy King, Alex Forbes
- 10.05 – Panel Interview & Discussion
- 10:40 – Audience Q&A
- 10:55 – Closing remarks
- 11:00 – Event close
Panel Discussion
The panel interview will explore the theme “The Path to Success: Starting, Scaling and Selling a Business in Jersey”, drawing on the speakers’ experiences across the full business journey.
Key themes may include:
- What motivated you to start a business?
- What were the biggest challenges in the early stages?
- What support systems exist for entrepreneurs in Jersey?
- What changes as a business scales beyond its founder?
- When should founders start planning for an exit, and what do investors look for?
- What advice would you give someone starting a business in Jersey today?
This event qualifies for 2 CPD points. Please contact Zoe Wauton at zoe.wauton@iod.com should you require a certificate.
Ticket price includes a buffet breakfast,
This event is kindly sponsored by Hepburns Insurance
