New Chair appointed to Innovate Guernsey and Digital Greenhouse Oversight Board
The Committee for Economic Development has appointed Susan Watson to the role of Chair of the Innovate Guernsey Board (the IGB).
Ms Watson has been a member of the Board since its inception a year ago, and is a Director of Sofsync Ltd and a specialist in digital transformation, cybersecurity, and AI start-ups.
The appointment follows the resignation of Justin Bellinger, who is leaving the island to go travelling. The Committee wishes to express its sincere thanks to Mr Bellinger for his work in establishing the Board, facilitating wide-ranging engagement with the business, public sector, and third sector communities, and developing the 2026 work plan.
An interim Digital Greenhouse Oversight Board has been formed, also led by Ms Watson as IGB Chair, together with Katie Inder, a member of the IGB and Barrie Duerden, nonvoting member of the Committee for Economic Development.
Deputy Sasha Kazantseva-Miller, President of the Committee for Economic Development said: “I would like to express my sincere thanks to Justin for taking on the challenge to establish the Innovate Board and get it going through its early start-up phase. Justin was instrumental in helping generate positive momentum through wideranging engagement across industry and community.
“The Committee has worked closely with Susan as a member of the Innovate Guernsey Board, and we are pleased to see her stepping into the new role as Chair. Her focus, expertise, and professionalism in this area will serve as great assets as she now takes on the leadership of both the IGB and the new Digital Greenhouse Oversight Board.
“The Committee will be working closely with the IGB in the coming year, setting a path for growing our economy’s capability for innovation, particularly given the accelerating pace of change brought by AI.”
Susan Watson, Chair of the IGB, said: “We are finalising a new Innovation Strategy for Guernsey and look forward to publishing this soon. We are also working closely with the Digital Greenhouse team. The Digital Greenhouse has done fantastic work in supporting start-ups, leading on key programmes for new businesses, developing digital and business skills in students, and providing a space for entrepreneurs to work and collaborate. It therefore has a natural and key role as we move forward with a new strategy for innovation in the wider economy.”
