Latest news with #Bailiwick
BBC News
4 days ago
- BBC News
Guernsey data protection office publish annual report
The Office of Data Protection (ODPA) has reported 129 data breaches in 2024, with the majority coming from emails sent to the wrong statistics have been revealed in the authority's annual report for last breach related to a member of the public finding an unencrypted USB storage device, which contained personal ODPA added that human error remains the leading cause of data leaks in the Bailiwick.
BBC News
5 days ago
- General
- BBC News
Guernsey wildlife hospital build begins but £2.2m still needed
Work to build a new wildlife hospital to care for injured animals across the Bailiwick has begun but more money is needed to complete it, an animal charity has said. Guernsey Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (GSPCA) said the laying of foundations for the new state-of-the-art centre was a "major milestone" in the project which will include a new wildlife hospital, welfare kennels and ferret charity said the facility would treat local species such as hedgehogs, birds and marine manager Steve Byrne said: "We're incredibly grateful to everyone who has supported the big build so far but we still need help to raise the remaining £2.2m to bring this vision to life." He added: "Every year we help thousands of wild animals and this facility will give them the best chance of recovery and release back into the wild."Mr Byrne said the welfare kennel unit would house cruelty cases and strays and would help re-home dogs. There would also be an isolation kennel area and a laundry section for the added: "The ferret unit will help house the many stray and unwanted ferrets we help each year and the wildlife hospital will provide facilities for the 3,000-plus wildlife we help every year."The GSPCA continues to appeal for donations to help bring the wildlife hospital and "much-needed" dog kennel improvements one step closer to completion.
ITV News
5 days ago
- Business
- ITV News
Bust Guernsey finance company and owner fined £210,000 for handling Russian investments
A Guernsey investment company and its director have been fined a combined £210,000 over handling Russian money. The Guernsey Financial Services Commission (GFSC) started its investigation into ITI Trade Ltd in September 2022, following the suspension of the company's licence a few months prior. The firm has since ceased trading but provided investment and brokerage services to high-net-worth people and investors, with the majority living in higher-risk jurisdictions. The Commission found "much of the business was conducted in Russia", despite strict sanctions on the country due to the war in Ukraine. The GSFC discovered that ITI Trade's trading levels significantly increased in the first half of 2022, following Russia's invasion of Ukraine, with their assets rising by more than 440%. The Commission ruled that the company did not consider "relevant high risk factors", adding that a significant proportion of the firm's clients posed "a high risk of money laundering". The GFSC imposed a £175,000 fine on ITI Trade and charged Director Alex Phil, formerly Alexei Filatov, £35,000. Mr Phil is also banned from holding a supervised role in financial services for two years and 10 months. The news follows the latest Moneyval report, where independent financial auditors urged Guernsey to improve its investigation and prosecution of money laundering. The report also found that the island had failed to respond to financial crime in five out of 11 areas. As part of the GFSC rules, companies must consider "the extent of its potential exposure to the risk of money laundering and terrorist financing". The Commission judged that ITI Trade had failed to regularly assess relationship risk assessments and take into account relevant high-risk factors. The company's customers were sourced by the firm's sister company in Russia, but ITI Trade did not know the identity of these 108 people. The GSFC also found that one customer was linked to a $100 million insider trading scandal and was fined by authorities in another jurisdiction. The Commission concluded: "The firm had very little knowledge of its customers and failed to demonstrate that it had effective oversight of the outsourced service providers, to mitigate the risks present in its outsourced model. "This led to widespread and systemic breaches of the regulatory requirements of the Bailiwick that arose at all stages of the customer relationship, from onboarding to day-to-day management and monitoring. "The failings are particularly concerning due to the large proportion of high-risk customers, the source of funds and wealth of which was unknown to the Licensee. "The Licensee failed to assess the money laundering / terrorist financing risk of its customer relationships, taking into account all of the relevant risk factors, both prior to the establishment of the relationship and periodically thereafter."
BBC News
22-07-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Alderney runway refurbishment plan to ensure airport safety
Alderney's government has renewed hopes of refurbishing the island's States said two "fully costed and technically sound" proposals had been put forward to the States Trading Supervisory Board (STSB).Officials said the proposals prioritised "urgent" work to the runway, taxiway and apron infrastructure to ensure the airport remained "safe and operational".Chair of the General Services Committee Iain Macfarlane said the goal was to demonstrate a "viable, cost-effective and deliverable" solution. 'Years of uncertainty' He said: "We've done exactly that. We've drawn a line under the years of uncertainty and turned the conversation back to action."We now hope for an expedited route forward, building on the diligent work of our members and officers. "We're keen to hear the views of STSB and Ports, and we hope they are ready to progress delivery."The States said the proposals had been drafted to meet all necessary technical standards, grounded in prior contractor involvement and site knowledge. It said it recognised "increasing pressures on the public purse" for Alderney and Guernsey."We therefore remain committed to being part of the solution to wider Bailiwick challenges by working collaboratively with our colleagues in the States of Guernsey to the benefit of the Bailiwick taxpayer," it added upgrades to the terminal and control tower could be addressed following completion of the "critical phase".
BBC News
20-07-2025
- General
- BBC News
Five more years of Guernsey sailing and boating tuition agreed
All States-maintained schools in the bailiwick are set to continue to receive free boating tuition after an agreement was Guernsey Sailing Trust delivers lessons to about 2,500 students each year, including through schools, community and outreach groups and via holiday Sport & Culture provides grant funding for the trust to deliver the Paul Montague, president of the committee, said: "I am pleased the previous committee renewed the agreement with Guernsey Sailing Trust, so that they can continue to provide such valuable enrichment opportunities to our students." Montague said it would allow pupils to benefit in a variety of ways, including navigation, sailing and then progressing from sheltered water to the sea."Sailing is a brilliant way for young people to help develop transferable skills, gain accredited qualifications, and enjoy the beautiful outdoor environment our island offers us," he said."I look forward to seeing our learners continue to benefit from this partnership over the next five years."
