11/08/2008
Jonathan White is to step down from his position as Ogier Group Chairman at the end of January 2009. Jonathan has been closely involved in the management and strategic growth of Ogier as Managing Partner and then Group Chairman for approximately 18 years.
Announcing his decision to stand down Jonathan said, “I have been privileged to have been at the heart of the management and strategic development of Ogier during which time we have grown from being a small Jersey based firm to one where we are now in nine jurisdictions across the world, employing close to 800 professional support staff. It has been a remarkable period of growth and one of which I feel immensely proud to have been a part.”
In his position as Group Chairman, Jonathan White was instrumental in establishing an Ogier presence in Guernsey and then oversaw two mergers; the first with Cayman Islands firm Boxalls in 2004 and the second with BVI firm WSmiths in 2007. He was also involved in the purchase of an administration business in Ireland. As a result of the Group’s growth strategy, Ogier is now one of the world’s leading providers of offshore legal and fiduciary services and is the only offshore firm that provides advice on BVI, Cayman, Guernsey and Jersey law.
In order to respond to the current size of Ogier and its future aspirations, Ogier has decided to create two new management roles; those of Chairman and Group Chief Executive Officer.
Clive Chaplin, a senior partner who currently heads up Ogier’s Business and Trust Law Group in Jersey, will become Chairman and Nick Kershaw, currently Managing Partner of Ogier’s legal practice in Jersey will become Group Chief Executive Officer. Both appointments will become effective on 1 February 2009.
Clive Chaplin joined Ogier as a partner in 1994 after spending seven years with an international asset management group in a combined legal counsel and management role.
Nick Kershaw became a partner of Ogier in 1996 having joined from Clifford Chance. Before becoming Jersey Managing Partner, he established himself as one of the leading investment fund lawyers in Jersey. He has been a member of the Group Management Board for the last six years.
Nick Kershaw commenting on the management changes at Ogier added, “The partners are very grateful for the leadership that Jonathan has demonstrated. Thanks to strong leadership, the hard work of our staff and support of our clients, Ogier continues to go from strength to strength and we look forward to the future with confidence. Clive and I are honoured to be appointed into our management roles and we will both look to build on the progress the group has made under Jonathan’s leadership.”
James Bergstrom, William Simpson and Duncan Smith will continue in their roles as the Managing Partners of the Cayman, Guernsey and BVI legal businesses (respectively) and Simon Willing remains in his position as CEO for Ogier Fiduciary Services. Nick Kershaw will continue as Managing Partner of the Jersey legal business until a successor is appointed in 2009. Jonathan White will remain as a Partner of Ogier.
