First published by the States of Guernsey.
Baroness Margaret Hodge, the UK Anti-Corruption Champion, and Jake Richards MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State at the Ministry of Justice, visited Guernsey today (1st June 2026) at the invitation of Guernsey's government to discuss its shared fight to tackle illicit finance. Baroness Hodge last visited the island in 2018 and it was Mr Richards' first visit to the island.
The visit follows Guernsey's recent public consultation about creating a 'legitimate interest access' framework, which would provide access to beneficial ownership information to those with a legitimate interest only. This includes journalists and non-governmental organisations that have a specific role in fighting financial crime.
Guernsey's register already delivers what matters most - rapid access to verified data for law enforcement and tax authorities in Guernsey, the UK and other jurisdictions. Guernsey's move to provide wider access to its beneficial ownership register is simply the next stage in its strategy of continuing to develop transparency in line with established EU policy. Guernsey has already granted access to the information for 'obliged entities' (which are regulated financial services businesses and other businesses which are required to conduct customer due diligence under the Bailiwick's anti-money laundering, countering the financing of terrorism and countering proliferation financing regime).
The States of Guernsey had invited Baroness Hodge to visit Guernsey in 2024 to understand the UK's proposed criteria for legitimate interest access, as it is something the UK has not implemented itself. Although Baroness Hodge has not been available to visit until now, constructive discussions and joint working have continued between UK and Guernsey Ministers and officials on beneficial ownership registers and access to information, as well as numerous other matters.
Today's visit provided an opportunity to demonstrate first-hand how Guernsey's approach to company formation and regulation of Trust and Company Service Providers ensures that verification of this data is done to the highest standard, which is also something the UK has not yet implemented itself. The verification of the data on the register is designed to make misuse significantly more difficult than it is in other major finance centres, such as the UK.
Guernsey's high standards in this regard were something MONEYVAL recognised in the peer review of FATF global standards in 2025. The UK is set to have its next review against FATF standards in 2027, the first time in a decade.
Deputy Lindsay de Sausmarez, President of the Policy & Resources Committee, said:
"It is vital that Guernsey and the UK work together to fight financial crime in all its forms and co-operate with global partners. Today's visit by Baroness Hodge and Mr Richards is part of our ongoing dialogue with the UK. We are rightly proud of our accurate, verified and up-to-date register of beneficial ownership and we are pleased to share our experience and expertise with the UK.
"Guernsey's robust approach and our swift and effective sharing of information with international law enforcement and tax authorities have been praised by external authorities, including MONEYVAL and the UK's own Home Office. Much evidence and many independent assessments show that we consistently meet and even exceed international standards, so it is a shame that outdated prejudices about Guernsey continue to be reiterated for the apparent purpose of generating media headlines."
Deputy Andrew Niles, Member of the Policy & Resources Committee said:
"It is true that much is at stake. Guernsey and the other Crown Dependencies play an important role in supporting investment into the UK and wider global economy. Billions of pounds are channelled through well-regulated international finance centres into infrastructure, businesses, housing and long-term investment projects.
"What is sometimes overlooked is that this investment is supported by a framework that places transparency, verification and the fight against illicit finance at its core. Guernsey has demonstrated that it is possible to facilitate international capital flows while maintaining some of the highest regulatory and beneficial ownership standards in the world.
"That is why independent assessments such as MONEYVAL matter. They provide objective evidence that Guernsey is not simply committed to tackling financial crime in principle, but is delivering effective outcomes in practice."
