New appointee previously served at several prominent financial services businesses
Skipton International, a division of the Skipton Group, has announced the appointment of Eric Barnett (pictured) as its new chair, pending approval from the Guernsey Financial Services Commission.
Barnett previously served as the group chief executive of SG Kleinwort Hambros Bank Ltd, Société Générale’s private banking and wealth management business in the UK, Channel Islands and Gibraltar. With a career in financial services spanning over 35 years, he is set to bring extensive experience to Skipton International.
Barnett’s background includes spending a decade as group CEO at SG Kleinwort Hambros Bank Ltd, along with various chairmanships and non-executive positions across the financial sector. His expertise in lending and familiarity with the Channel Islands, where he resided for several years, is expected to be instrumental in his new role.
Expressing his enthusiasm for the appointment, Barnett said, “I am thrilled to be joining the team at Skipton International and returning to Guernsey. The business has great ambition, a growing leadership team, and strong values that are rooted in the island. I’m very much looking forward to working with the team to further build on all its success.”
Gwyn Burr, chair of the Skipton Group, welcomed Barnett’s appointment, stating, “I’m very pleased to welcome Eric as the new chair of Skipton International. He joins us with impressive career experience spanning executive roles across financial services, together with first-hand knowledge and understanding of the Channel Islands. Eric’s experience and ability will further strengthen Skipton International and prove a valuable asset for the wider Skipton Group.”
Burr also expressed gratitude for the service of outgoing Skipton International chair, Bobby Ndawula, over the past three years.
Barnett is set to commence his role at Skipton International this autumn.
Skipton International, based in Guernsey, offers offshore savings accounts and mortgages. It was recognised as the Offshore Bank Provider of the Year by Moneyfacts in 2021, 2022, and 2023, and received the Mortgage Introducer Top Mortgage Employer Award in 2022 and 2023.
The company is regulated under Guernsey’s Banking Supervision and Lending, Credit, and Finance laws and participates in the Guernsey Banking Deposit Compensation Scheme, which covers deposits up to £50,000. Skipton International also holds a customer service rating of 4.7/5 on Feefo and has earned five Platinum awards for service quality.
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