Reader Profile: In the driving seat

For some in the venerable financial institutions of London, a move to the comparatively sedate world of the Channel Islands is viewed at best as a sideways step, but Corazon Capital’s Paul Meader is out to disprove that theory.

Meader has worked in Dublin, London and the Channel Islands in his investment career but the 43-year old is adamant Guernsey offers the right person world class opportunities that might take a while longer to come around in London.

Meader cut his investment teeth running the Guernsey subsidiary of Rothschild Bank Switzerland as well as spells working in London and Dublin as a proprietary bonds trader.

He held the role of head of fixed interest at Jardine Mathieson before he was drawn back to Guernsey in 1996 soon after the birth of his eldest daughter.

‘We came back as a lifestyle choice. I did not fancy bringing up my daughter in London so Guernsey seemed the obvious solution as I have resident rights.’

The classic car and cycling enthusiast is non-plussed by the thought that Guernsey might be viewed as a relative backwater, and is well versed in countering such suggestions.

‘I was working in Dublin in 2002 and people would say “where?” They were aghast, but that was a fantastic place to work.

‘When I returned to Guernsey people said it was a step back but that could not be less true. Careers here offer arguably greater opportunities.’

Meader says being in a regional financial hub like the Channel Islands means the big breaks often come around at an earlier stage, and he should know.

‘I became the managing director of a Bank [Rothschild Bank Switzerland] here at 30. It would probably have taken a lot longer in London,’ he says.