Karen's qualifications incldue:

  • Karen completed the Certificate in Offshore Administration in 2003

Related news and insights

News

26 September 2024

VG appoints Danny Curran as Corporate & Business Development Director

VG is set to grow its Employee Incentives business with a key hire.

News

29 August 2024

VG appoints two Directors in Private Wealth and Corporate

Congratulations to our two new Directors, Gabriela Jakubczyk in Corporate and Sheena Huggett in Private Wealth. 

News

17 July 2024

VG announces partnership with Mayfair Equity Partners

Mayfair Equity Partners invests in VG to support management’s ambitious growth plan, including rolling out new, advanced technologies and strategic M&A.

News

3 July 2024

VG announces four mid-year career promotions in Private Wealth and Corporate

Congratulations to our colleagues who have earned career promotions: Tyler Hine in Private Wealth and Stuart Andre, Bela Vieira and Laura Correia in our Corporate team. 

News

21 February 2024

VG Directors author new Family Wealth guide

VG Directors, Paul Roper and Ian Murphy, have launched the 2nd edition of The Practical Guide for Wealthy Families and Family Offices. 

News

16 February 2024

VG welcomes Alison Hayward as Private Wealth Director

Welocme to Alison Hayward who joins VG as Private Wealth Manager. Experienced professional, Alison, will manage a private wealth team and a varied portfolio of high and ultra high net worth clients and families globally, with ambitions to expand the business...

News

11 January 2024

VG announces early career promotions for three trainees

VG has promoted three trainees in new year promotions after excelling at VG in their early careers. Tiffany Abreu, Sylwia Wrobel and William Morvan in the Private Wealth area have been promoted to Trust Administrator.

News

4 October 2023

VG is "recommended" in Spear's 500 Tax and Trusts index 2023

Spear's recommends VG and Private Wealth Directors, Debbie Lumsden and Wendy Inns in its latest index for the best tax, structuring and offshore experts for high net worth individuals. 

News

26 July 2023

VG promotes four as business grows

VG has promoted four colleagues to recognise their development and strengthen VG’s client management capability as the business grows. Aaron Smith and Sam Bohan in the Private Wealth business and Jake McMichael and Liam McGuinness in the Corporate...

News

26 June 2023

Join our growing team and say hello to £5000

We're looking for brilliant people, from Officers to Assistant Managers, for our growing Private Wealth, Funds and Corporate businesses. And you could receive a £5000 "welcome" bonus. Email hr@vg.je to arrange an informal and confidential chat with...

News

20 June 2023

Magic Circle Silver Award - Boutique Trust Company of the Year 2023

VG has won the Silver award for "Trust Comapny of the Year - Boutique" in the Citywealth Magic Circle Awards 2023.

News

23 January 2023

VG staff raise over £14,500 for Jersey Hospice

We're proud to have raised more than £14,500 for Jersey Hospice since the start of our financial year in May 2022.

News

11 January 2023

VG promotes 10% of staff in 2023 review

We're delighted to announce the promotions of over 10% of our staff across our private wealth, funds, corporate and support teams.

News

11 October 2022

2022 real estate: Dry powder. Refinancing. Rising interest rates. Explosive returns. Trophy assets.

Arab Banker caught up with Paul Bulstrode (Senior Manager at VG), Ayda Habboush (Partner at Trowers & Hamlins) and Mike Williams (Group Partner at Collas Crill) to make sense of an enigmatic real estate market.

News

7 October 2022

VG named Tier 1 Independent 2022 eprivateclient Top Trust Company for second consecutive year

VG has once again been recognised for the fourth consecutive year, notably the second consecutive year as a Tier 1 Provider, in the annual eprivateclient Top Trust Companies rankings one of the industry’s most prestigious directories of private-client...

News

21 September 2022

Reflecting on 40 years as a Jersey-based independent trust company

Until 1982, VG had existed as the unincorporated trust and corporate operating arm of local law firm Michael Voisin & Co, however, client demand for trusts and corporate structures could no longer be adequately serviced as an adjunct to the company’s...

News

21 September 2022

VG celebrates 40 years as a Jersey-based independent trust company

As one of Jersey’s truly independent trust companies, we are delighted to celebrate our 40th birthday and this important milestone in the business’ journey.

News

7 July 2022

Independent protectors: a tool for defusing and avoiding conflicts and enforcing a trust’s purpose

For every trust there is a trustee. Whether the trustee holds the legal title for the assets of an individual inheritor, a family dynasty, or a large corporation, it all comes down to one word: Trust. Enter the concept of the Protector.

News

4 July 2022

VG announces 2022 promotions

In recognition of our team's hard work and talent, we've made a number of promotions across our private wealth, funds, corporate and support teams.  

News

14 June 2022

VG bolsters private wealth team with senior hires

We're delighted to welcome Wendy Inns as Director, subject to regulatory approval, and Katherine Heddercott to VG as we further bolster our private wealth team.

News

30 May 2022

Double recognition for VG in the 2022 eprivateclient Channel Islands Top 35 under 35

We're thrilled to announce that Sarah-Louise Mason and Tommy Ling have been named in the 2022 ‘Channel Islands Top 35 Under 35’ list published by eprivateclient.

News

3 May 2022

VG unveils brand evolution

We are delighted to unveil the evolution of our brand identity which signals an important milestone for us.

Insight

21 March 2022

Will looming CGT hikes diminish use of Jersey’s real estate structures?

The tax landscape for non-resident property investors has changed dramatically in recent years, particularly in respect of non-resident capital gains tax (NRCGT) and the reduction of tax benefits derived from having non-resident status. It has been suggested...

News

15 March 2022

VG named exclusive sponsor of Jersey Hospice's flagship event

We’re extremely proud to be the exclusive sponsor of the Jersey Dragon Boat Festival and looking forward to supporting the Jersey Hospice team in delivering a fantastic event!

News

4 March 2022

Debbie Lumsden wins bronze at Citywealth Powerwomen Awards 2022

We're proud to share that Private Client Director, Debbie Lumsden, has been recognised at the 2022 Citywealth Powerwomen Awards and awarded Bronze for Woman of the Year - Leadership - Financial Organisation (Director).

Insight

15 February 2022

Your company is only as great as the team you employ and develop

Research reveals that 55% of UK employers offer career development tools, however less than half of employees make use of them (Business Leader, 2022). Surprisingly, 81% of UK employees have no written career plan in place with their employer. As an employer...

News

13 January 2022

Paul Roper wins Silver at Citywealth IFC Awards 2022

We're proud to share that Private Client Director, Paul Roper, has been recognised at the 2022 Citywealth IFC Awards and awarded Silver for Trustee of the Year (Channel Islands & Isle of Man).

Insight

3 January 2022

Make wellbeing at work your new year’s resolution

According to a survey, jobseeker numbers are especially high in the UK, with 46% of workers looking for new jobs with more flexibility, better benefits, and more supportive company cultures. If the last 18 months has made you re-evaluate what you want...

Insight

20 December 2021

Make a trust your financial new year’s resolution in 2022

For those looking to get 2022 started with some extra financial peace of mind, there is one action that should be considered a priority as the new year begins – exploring the potential benefits of trust planning for individuals and families alike.

Insight

20 December 2021

Make a trust your financial new year’s resolution in 2022

For those looking to get 2022 started with some extra financial peace of mind, there is one action that should be considered a priority as the new year begins – exploring the potential benefits of trust planning for individuals and families alike.

News

23 November 2021

VG positions for further growth with new Director of Operations

We have appointed Kevin Cooper as Director of Operations as we pave the way for the next stage of our development.

News

12 November 2021

VG’s Chelsea Ford named Trust Officer of the Year

VG has been recognised at the 2021 Citywealth Future Leaders Awards, with senior trust officer Chelsea Ford winning the Gold award for Trust Officer of the Year.

Insight

15 October 2021

Advisers must consider trusts amid looming tax hikes

The events of the last 18 months have had a hugely divergent impact on people’s wealth. For many, it has been a period of perilous financial hardship and job losses. But, research indicates more than five million people became millionaires in 2020. Debbie...

Insight

1 September 2021

Trust structures offer flexible vehicles to support and protect wealth transfer for Shari’ah-compliant investors

Within the next 10 years, 25,000 high-net-worth individuals are expected to transfer $15 trillion to a younger generation. Trevor Norman looks at how trusts, foundations and similar legal structures can help to ensure an orderly transition of wealth between...

News

28 May 2021

VG named Tier 1 provider in 2021 eprivateclient Top Trust companies

VG has once again been recognised for the third consecutive year, notably as a Tier 1 Provider, in the annual eprivateclient Top Trust Companies rankings one of the industry’s most prestigious directories of private-client solutions providers...

News

7 May 2021

Doubled business growth, a duo of promotions and a raft of new joiners at VG

We are delighted to share that FY20/21 saw a 225% increase in new business versus prior year, despite the uncertainty of the last 12 months, and we kicked-off the new financial year (May 1 2021) with two promotions and a raft of new joiners to support our...

Insight

12 April 2021

SARS Tax Unit: Cause for a great emigration?

The South African Revenue Service has bolstered its tax collection capabilities and created a dedicated SARS unit responsible for improving the tax compliance of wealthy individuals and organisations employing complex, and often offshore, financial arrangements....

News

31 March 2021

VG promotes James Amos and Chris Hamon

James Amos and Chris Hamon have been promoted to Assistant Managers as we continue to recognise key talent and strengthen our management team.

Insight

5 March 2021

UK Budget: The only way is up

The pandemic has prompted unprecedented UK government policy responses and has involved enormous and sustained public spending that has left the UK with public debt levels unseen for decades.  Against the backdrop of a fragile economic the Chancellor...

News

24 February 2021

VG named Independent Trust Company of the Year

We are delighted to announce that VG has been recognised at the 2021 Citywealth IFC Awards where we won Gold in the Independent Trust Company of the Year category.

News

12 February 2021

VG strikes with a senior management hire

VG has appointed Sheena Huggett as Senior Manager to further support the expansion of VG’s private client team.

Insight

12 February 2021

All is (not necessarily!) fair in love and war

Financial matters will be far from a couple’s minds when they get married but very likely to be at the forefront when they get divorced, especially when dealing with high-net-worth individuals. Mark Healey explores how a trust can help avoid...

News

5 February 2021

VG strengthens management team with a VG veteran, a rising star and a new joiner

Following a raft of promotions in January 2021, VG has further strengthened its management team with an appointment and promotions of a VG veteran and rising star.

Insight

13 January 2021

Timing, cost and control: Top 3 considerations for deemed domicile planning.

As the 5th April deadline approaches Debbie Lumsden, Private Client Director at VG, explores the top three considerations for clients and their advisors when contemplating settling an offshore trust as part of deemed domicile planning.

News

6 January 2021

VG kicks-off 2021 with a sweep of promotions

We are delighted to have kicked-off the new year across our funds, private client, family office, corporate and compliance teams with 8 promotions, effective 1 January 2021, as we continue to strengthen our talent base.

News

18 December 2020

VG celebrates a year of growth

We close off the year by celebrating the appointment of a raft of new employees throughout 2020 as part of our focus on growth and a commitment to attracting the best local talent.

Insight

1 December 2020

The April countdown begins: Is tax the only driver for establishing a trust?

As a whirl wind 2020 draws to a close, it sets the scene for UK-resident non-domiciliaries to begin considering their plans for 2021, particularly for those who will become deemed-domiciled. Whilst the tax protections afforded by “protected settlements”...

Insight

26 November 2020

The best of both worlds: investments that are both Shariah-compliant and sustainable

Shariah-compliant finance was taking an ethical view of investing long before the rise of sustainable investment strategies in western financial markets. Now, as both Shariah-compliant and sustainable investments expand, investors and issuers are finding increasing...

Insight

26 October 2020

Venturing beyond borders: A South African perspective

South Africans venturing offshore (whether investing directly or setting up structures), have been accused of disloyalty to the country. There are several reasons why this is simply not true and why offshore should feature in the investment landscape of all...

Insight

21 October 2020

Trust us, take tax advice.

There are occasions when clients and their representatives tell us that a structure is not tax driven and sometimes we are told that there are ‘no tax issues’. So, why else should clients and their advisers consider taking tax advice?

News

1 October 2020

VG appoints Paul Roper as Director

Paul’s appointment further strengthens our leadership team which, alongside Paul’s extensive knowledge of the African market, will extend our offering and reach into our core growth markets.

Insight

29 July 2020

The becoming ‘deemed domiciled’ in the UK conundrum; is your client holding the “right” assets?

The ability to create a ‘protected settlement’, prior to becoming deemed domiciled in the UK for all tax purposes, can be a “golden opportunity”.  But what if it is also a curse?

News

29 July 2020

VG named on 2020 eprivateclient Top Trust companies

VG has once again been recognised in the annual eprivateclient Top Trust Companies rankings, one of the industry’s most prestigious directories of private-client solutions providers across the globe.

News

21 April 2020

Head of Compliance and Risk promoted to Director at VG

We are delighted to announce that Ian Murphy, previously Head of Compliance and Risk at VG,  has been promoted to the position of Director of VG and its underlying companies. 

Insight

1 April 2020

Jersey post-Brexit: Uniquely positioned for a supporting role

Whilst Brexit undoubtedly has implications for many aspects of Jersey’s relationship with the EU, its effect differs from that in the UK. Iain Mason explores why Jersey is well placed to play a key role between the UK and international markets.

Insight

19 March 2020

A once in a lifetime, golden opportunity – time is ticking.

As seems to be the case every year, as we lead up to the 6 April UK tax year-end, the more enquiries we get from clients and advisors looking to undertake planning and implement structuring before the client becomes ‘deemed domiciled’ in the UK...

News

16 March 2020

VG strengthens business development team with two hires

We are delighted to announce that we have appointed Debbie Lumsden as Private Client Director of VG. Debbie is tasked with growing the private wealth structuring business as part of the company’s next phase of growth.

Insight

1 July 2019

Economic substance - prove it!

There is no doubt that ‘substance’ is flavour of the month in the offshore jurisdictions. But what is it and how will it impact your offshore company?

Insight

3 May 2019

Waiting for the lightning bolt!

If you wait for the ‘giant leap for mankind’  you are very unlikely to recognise the ‘small step for man’ with which the journey of transformation begins.... Mark Hucker, Executive - Strategy and Projects

News

12 October 2018

VG introduces Mental Health First Aid team and raises funds for Mind Jersey

VG has created a dedicated Mental Health First Aid team as part of its investment into employee wellbeing.      

News

1 October 2018

VG awarded Islamic finance hat trick

VG was recognised at the Global Islamic Finance Awards (GIFA) on 29th September 2018, when the company was named Best Islamic Trust Formation Services Provider for the third year running.    

News

1 October 2018

VG strengthens funds team

VG has made several personnel hires and promotions to support the development of its funds offering into new regions and asset classes. 

News

12 June 2018

VG’s Ben Schofield named in ‘Top 35 Under 35’

VG is thrilled to announce that Senior Trust Officer Ben Schofield has been named in the inaugural ‘Channel Islands Top 35 Under 35’ list published by eprivateclient.

News

17 April 2018

Faith value

An insight into the latest developments in Shariah-compliant alternative investments from Trevor Norman and Dominic Coyne of VG’s Islamic finance team in this month’s STEP Journal, Volume 19, Issue 7. www.step.org/journal/step-journal-april-2018-full-issue/faith-value.

Insight

19 March 2018

A rock and a hard place…

Once upon a time, a business could try to solve its legacy system problems by studying gaps and opportunities, looking at a range of alternative products, issuing a Request for Proposal, evaluating the responses, making a decision and negotiating a contract…...

News

9 February 2018

VG named on Top Trust Companies 2019 list

We have  been named as a Top Tier Independent Trust Company in the annual eprivateclient Top Trust Company rankings, one of the industry’s most prestigious directories of private-client solutions providers across the globe.

Insight

11 August 2017

Giving Trust a New Lease of Life

The concept of trust is tried and tested over centuries. But the reasons for setting up trusts have subtly shifted over time with a greater emphasis on tax and fiscal planning or, to put it another way, as a means of removing certain obligations from the...

Insight

11 August 2017

Innovation and Change in Islamic Finance

When I first visited Dubai on business in early 1996, the only completed tower block on Sheikh Zayed Road was the World Trade Centre Tower and the road itself was little more than a dual carriageway!

News

11 August 2017

Volaw Group rebrands and launches new logo

VG brand reflects heritage and journey forward.

News

11 August 2017

VG Wins Recognition Again

VG retains GIFA Best Islamic Trust Formation Services Award.

Insight

11 August 2017

International Savings Plans

Launched in Jersey on 1 January 2019, the international savings plan (ISP) is a new way for employers to establish a savings plan product in a highly reputable and very well-regulated jurisdiction.

Testimonials

"I would like to count my Trustee at VG, with whom we have developed a decade long relationship, as a friend. But, I have refrained from doing so as we require their objectivity as a trustee on our offshore trust and the lead of the team that we rely on for all of our offshore matters."

Testimonials

“VG has been the Trustee of our Jersey family trust since its establishment in 2010; they have consistently excelled in their level ;of service, knowledge and diligence across all the activities of the trust. I would recommend them wholeheartedly."

Testimonials

“It makes us sleep well at night knowing that the assets we as a family have worked hard to accumulate are within VG’s stewardship."

Testimonials

“My Trustee at VG has looked after the offshore interests of myself and my family for nigh on two decades and they continue to do so, as Trustee and Director across a large group structure, with interests across the globe. They have taken the trouble to get to know us, our business, and various objectives closely. It is all about trust, and we trust them to do the correct thing for the beneficiaries, at all times. It is a great source of comfort to us."

Testimonials

“It is not only my Trustee at VG’s accessibility as a person, but that they have a grasp of the softer issues that arise in families, particularly as these become more complex – and the associated issues more vexed.” 

Testimonials

"I started working with my Trustee and VG in 2015. In the years that I’ve known them, communication has been straightforward; they have consistently explained both their and VG’s position and applied what seems to be the very best efforts in resolving any issues or following through on my requests. My Trustee is always a phone call away, they understand that business issues sometimes need to be addressed promptly and urgently. I feel that I am in good hands"

Our solutions

Private Wealth

We translate and meet the needs of ultra-high-net-worth individuals and their families globally. We enact bespoke solutions for family business succession strategies, estate planning, intergenerational wealth transfer and tax efficiency optimisation.

Our Private Wealth solutions include:

  • Wealth structuring
  • Fiduciary services
  • Protector and enforcer services
  • Luxury assets
  • Family governance
  • Real estate investment services
  • Family investment companies
  • Registered office
  • Family succession
  • Philanthropy and charity