Insights from our President, Lee Madden, September 2025

Investing in Jersey: A Vision Worth Building

Jersey’s strength lies in its ability to look forward. The Investing in Jersey strategy is a bold step in that direction, a long-term commitment to shaping the future we want for our community, our economy, and our global standing.

This isn’t just about infrastructure, it is about resilience too. Strategic investment gives us the tools to diversify our economy, reducing our dependence on a few key sectors and opening doors to innovation, sustainability, and growth. By upgrading transport, digital networks, and utilities, we are not only improving efficiency, but we are also enhancing Jersey’s competitiveness on the world stage.

Futureproofing is no longer optional. With demographic shifts and climate challenges ahead, early investment in housing, healthcare, and renewable energy is essential. These projects will create jobs, stimulate innovation, and ensure that Jersey remains a place where people want to live, work, and invest.

The creation of the Jersey Capital Investment Fund is a welcome development. It provides a stable, ringfenced mechanism to finance long-term projects, shielding them from the unpredictability of political cycles. This kind of financial foresight sends a clear message to private and international investors: Jersey is serious about its future.

But with ambition comes responsibility. Large-scale projects are complex. Delays in planning and procurement, cost overruns, and workforce constraints are real risks. Jersey’s limited labour pool means we must be strategic in delivery and transparent in communication. Public support depends on clarity, people need to understand not just what we are building, but why.

And here is a second warning: Political Delay. We are hearing mixed signals, some say action before the election, others suggest after. That is not good enough. We need timelines, not wishful thinking. We need action now, not promises that drift beyond the next election. Businesses plan in quarters, not decades and having certainty matters.

We must also ensure alignment. Every investment must reflect genuine need. Misaligned spending is more than a missed opportunity; it is a setback.

Despite these challenges, I remain optimistic. The Investing in Jersey strategy is a chance to shape our island’s future with purpose and precision. It’s a chance to improve lives, attract talent, and strengthen our global reputation.

Let’s engage, collaborate, and lead, because when we invest in Jersey, we invest in ourselves.

Lee Madden                          

President, Jersey Chamber of Commerce