Discover Laura’s motivation, the preparation involved and learn how you can get involved and support her fundraising efforts.

Tell us about the challenge you’re undertaking for Autism Jersey?

Having completed an Autism Jersey trek in 2017, to the summit of Mount Toubkal in the High Atlas Mountains, it is time for a new challenge. I will be joining a group of fellow #awesomeforautism trekkers over tough terrain, within an unforgiving climate, for five full days to and from the remote Lost City in Colombia to raise money for this fantastic charity.

To reach the 1200 ancient stone steps that lead up to the City, we will trek on steep, sometimes overgrown, and muddy trails, through lush jungle and river valleys, crossing clear streams. En route we pass indigenous Kogui communities and descendants of those early builders.

Why is the charity so special to you?

Autism Jersey holds a place in my heart, and I am a passionate supporter of their work. Their community spirit and drive to help support people on the autism spectrum and their families on a day-to-day basis is something truly special. Established in 2005 by a group of dedicated and committed parents, Autism Jersey is now the leading charity in Jersey having secure and well-developed expertise in the provision of autism-related services. They enable people on the autism spectrum to achieve their potential by advocating an inclusive community and providing personalised services to individuals, families, and carers.

How do you prepare for such a demanding trek?

Suffering arthritis in both knees, I don’t find these adventures or training for them easy they test me both physically and mentally. With the support of my friends and family, who join me on training treks and motivate me to keep going, I’m growing stronger each day. Since September I’ve clocked up 446km, 683k steps and 27 gym strength sessions. With only two months left I’ve increased the weekly training to include two back-to-back weekend walks consisting of at least 2-5 hours each day, a 800-1,000 step up session every Friday morning and an all-important stretch day to keep mobility.

How can others support you with this endeavour?

People’s support means everything to me, and to the incredible volunteers at Autism Jersey who are making a difference every single day. Whether it’s sharing my journey, contributing to fundraising efforts or simply spreading awareness about Autism Jersey, it all counts, and is enormously appreciated.

I would also like to thank Crestbridge Family Office Services for their donation and support.

You can donate at Fundraising for Autism Jersey. I’m funding my own trek myself, so every penny goes straight to the charity.

We wish Laura all the very best with this challenge and we will be following her journey along the way.

This marks Heather’s sixth consecutive year of inclusion in the prestigious list, which is compiled by the specialist private wealth publisher. Selection is determined by a number of criteria, from achievement and contribution, to those helping to shape the industry’s future.

In 2023 Heather took on the role of CEO at Crestbridge Family Office Services to continue to shape the firm’s next chapter as a privately-owned, independent business.

Heather commented: “ I would like to thank eprivateclient for my inclusion in this list which is, above all else, a reflection of the dedication and commitment of our team.

As we begin 2024 from our new offices in the heart of St Helier, we look forward to working alongside our clients and partners, exploring new and exciting opportunities together.”

In the Client Accounting team, Elliott Carlow is promoted to Senior Manager, and within the Administration function Gavin Byrne has been promoted to Manager and Charlie Lucas and Marta Latek have also been recognised.

Effective from 1 January 2024, these promotions recognise the achievements and contribution of these team members to the business. We wish them the best of success in their new roles.

Heather Tibbo, Chief Executive, Crestbridge Family Office Services, congratulated those being promoted:

“Investing in and supporting the development of our people is central to our future success and growth, particularly as we continue our journey as an independent and privately owned business. I’m delighted to be able to recognise the effort and accomplishment of these four valued members of our team. I am immensely proud of the talent, enthusiasm, and ambition we have within the business, exemplified by Elliott, Gavin, Charlie, and Marta.”

The industry-benchmark qualification, which Danielle passed with Distinction, takes a high-level strategic look at the effective implementation of ESG solutions into an organisation’s framework, including how ESG data can be brought into business modelling and delivery through reporting.

Designed to support leaders in the ESG space, the qualification explores the evolving ESG landscape, how organisations can prioritise ESG, how to implement effective ESG strategies and how to lead a successful and sustainable ESG transformation.

This qualification adds to Danielle’s impressive resume which already includes a number of industry-leading qualifications in this area, including the Chartered Institute of Securities and Investment’s (CISI) Sustainable and Responsible Investment Certificate.

With over ten years’ experience in financial services across multiple jurisdictions, Danielle manages a large team administering the portfolios of high-profile international families. Named as a ‘future leader’ in the eprivateclient 2023 Channel Islands NextGen List, she is also involved in the learning and development of junior staff at Crestbridge Family Office Services.

The team succeeded in raising over £5,000 in total for Jersey Cancer Relief. The climbs included Scafell Pike in England, Scotland’s Ben Nevis, and Snowdon in Wales, covering a total walking distance of 26 miles and over 3,000 metres of ascent. And all within the space of 24 hours on 4^th and 5^th August.

The challenge was particularly personal for Andrea Sturges, Manager at Crestbridge Family Office Services, who was herself diagnosed with breast cancer, and received significant practical, logistical, and financial support from Jersey Cancer Relief.

The other team members taking on the challenge with Andrea were Chloë Blampied, Melloney Bond, Chris Cameron, Daniel Cavey, Hannah Le Claire, and Jack Rondel.

Founded in 1968, Jersey Cancer Relief was incorporated as a Jersey charity in 1973 to support cancer patients and their families who were finding it difficult to cope financially because of their illness. The charity offers broad financial assistance where there is a need to Jersey residents affected by cancer in its many forms, from doctor’s fees, supplements, and dressings, to travel to the UK, nursing care, medical equipment, and even loan mobile phones for patients needing to travel to the UK.

Commenting on the fundraising initiative, Andrea said:

“I was 29 when I received my diagnosis and the support and compassion I received from Jersey Cancer Relief was massive – in particular because my son was so young. The practical and logistical help the team gave me during a really difficult time when I had to spend significant periods in the UK for treatment was invaluable. This is my way of trying to give back to a local charity that does a tremendous job – and to complete this challenge with the support of my colleagues makes it even more special.”

Anne Pryke, Chair, Jersey Cancer Relief added:

“There is always so much to think about when someone is diagnosed and receiving treatment for cancer and often it’s the practical and financial implications of the illness that can weigh most heavily on people – particularly where there are young families and frequent trips to the UK involved.

“Jersey Cancer Relief exists to provide support in those areas, so that people can focus on themselves and their families when they need to most, and not the financial burden. We’re really grateful to the team at Crestbridge for their efforts to help raise such a good sum to support our work in the local community.”

Further information about Jersey Cancer Relief can be found here.

In her new role, Karen will work closely with the leadership team and Board of Directors at Crestbridge FOS, which marks its tenth anniversary this year, on financial strategy.  Overseeing the operation of Crestbridge FOS’ internal finance team, Karen will be responsible for all aspects of financial reporting, budgeting and forecasting. Karen will also oversee the client reporting function and ensure the successful delivery of clients’ accounting and tax reporting requirements.

With more than 25 years’ accounting experience, 15 of which have been within the offshore financial services industry in Jersey, primarily working on private client structures, Karen is a qualified Chartered Accountant.

Heather Tibbo, CEO, Crestbridge Family Office Services, said:

“ Karen will play a key role in helping to drive our growth strategy as we continue to cement Crestbridge Family Office Services as a leading independent and privately owned player in the market in what is our tenth anniversary year.

“Her commercial approach and multijurisdictional experience together with her leadership capabilities will be pivotal not only in ensuring the ongoing delivery of high-quality accounting and reporting services to clients but also in supporting our progressive journey as a business going forward.”

Crestbridge Family Office Services, which is not part of this transaction, will continue to operate independently and provide its private client, trust and fiduciary services whilst remaining privately owned. It will continue to support its clients and their advisers with the same commitment and dedication they have experienced over the last ten years.

Having joined Crestbridge ten years ago to establish Family Office Services, Heather Tibbo now takes the reins as Chief Executive Officer with Paul Hunter as Managing Director. They will continue to be supported by the current team of Family Office Services professionals ensuring continuity of services and relationships.

Chief Executive, Heather Tibbo, said:

“Over the last ten years, Crestbridge Family Office Services has demonstrated a clear focus on its specialism for families and ultra-high net-worth clients and advisers. I am excited about the future for our business, our people, and the continuing opportunity to grow and develop our array of services, delivering excellence to our clients and advisers whose interests I firmly believe are best served by our remaining independent.”

The mid-year promotions, which took effect from 1 July 2023, include Clare Stotesbury, who becomes an Associate Director.

In addition, Charlotte Williamson has been made a Senior Manager whilst Melloney Bond has been promoted to Manager, and both Hannah Le Claire and Joel Lucas-Villar become Senior Administrators.

All five have been promoted in recognition of their achievements, expertise and contribution to the business.

Congratulating those promoted, Heather Tibbo, Group Head of Crestbridge Family Office Services, said:

“Client service remains front and centre of our proposition and delivering that means nurturing a high quality, driven and highly knowledgeable team. With that in mind, I’m delighted that five of our professionals have received promotions in recognition of the contribution they have made to the business over the past year, and their ongoing commitment to their own professional development.”

Sophie won Gold in the ‘Business Development Manager of the Year’ category, with the accolades being presented at an Awards ceremony held in London this week (20th June).

Now in their eighth year, the Awards recognise the best brands across the private wealth landscape and champion the individuals and teams driving positive change and demonstrating best practice across the marketing, business development, public relations and communications sectors.

Sophie, who joined Crestbridge in January this year, has built a career as a business development specialist over the past ten years, working across the trust and company service provider sector in Jersey to support strategic business goals. As well as working with colleagues to facilitate the onboarding of new clients, Sophie also supports the team’s marketing efforts and is a champion for the business’ client relationship-driven approach. She holds the STEP Diploma in International Trust Management and the ICA International Diploma in Anti Money Laundering.

Commenting on Sophie’s success, Daniel Channing, Director, Crestbridge Family Office Services, said: “In a highly competitive market, it’s imperative that we effectively communicate how we differentiate ourselves.  I’m delighted for Sophie – she has contributed to our business development strategy this year and her efforts, along with those of our wider marketing and business development team, have proved pivotal in cementing our positive reputation.”