A senior figure from Estera, a leading provider of fiduciary and administration services, has been named Director of the Year.

Gary O’Connor received the prestigious award at the Institute of Directors (IoD) Isle of Man Spring Lunch at the Sefton Hotel, Douglas.

It was attended by members of the IoD and guest speaker Ian Rowland, a corporate speaker, trainer and consultant who has worked with the FBI and British Olympics Team.

The IoD Director of the Year Award recognises strong corporate leadership and rewards professionals who promote social and economic developments in the Isle of Man.

Estera Isle of Man director Gary said: ’I am humbled to have received this award, which is an honour on a personal level as well as a deserved recognition of our entire team which I am proud to be part of.’

Sean Dowling, managing director of Estera Isle of Man, said: ’This is a well-deserved recognition of Gary’s professional expertise and leadership, which underpins the high standards of service that our team provides to our clients worldwide.’

Jennifer Houghton, chairman of the Institute of Directors in the Isle of Man, said: ’On behalf of the IoD we would like to congratulate Gary on winning this prestigious award at such an early stage of his successful career.

’We wish Gary success in the U.K. National awards when they are announced later in the year.’

lMeanwhile Estera has been shortlisted in four categories at the prestigious Citywealth Brand Management and Reputation Awards 2017.

The categories are Brand of the Year, Best Rebranding Campaign, Marketing Team of the Year and Marketing Director of the Year.

Estera’s marketing team is led from the group’s Isle of Man office, where head of marketing Leanne Harker, nominated as Marketing Director of the Year, is based.

The Estera brand was launched in April 2016 following the management buyout of Appleby Fiduciary Business (AFB) from the Appleby Group just a few months earlier.

Sean Dowling, managing director of Estera Isle of Man, said: ’Rebranding a long-established business like AFB, to give it a fresh style and feel while maintaining its position as a leading fiduciary and administration services provider is a huge undertaking but it was completed seamlessly thanks to the hard work, skill and determination of the marketing team, which is led from the Isle of Man office.’

Estera CEO Farah Ballands said: ’This recognition is testament not only of the expertise and quality of our marketing team but also the dedication of our teams across the group, who have worked extremely hard to raise the profile of our new brand with both our internal and external stakeholders’.

’As a group we are transitioning through a period of growth and to receive this accolade highlights the strength and depth of our global team, who should be proud of their achievement.’

The Brand Management and Reputation Awards highlights excellence in branding and marketing in the financial industry and recognises teams who promote their organisation and navigate reputational risk effectively. Each category finalist is selected by a judging panel made up of five leading industry figures and a public vote. The Citywealth Brand Management and Reputation Awards are due to be held in London on June 15.

lEstera recently announced the successful completion of its acquisition of Guernsey-based Morgan Sharpe Administration Limited following receipt of regulatory approval.

The deal sees Morgan Sharpe rebranded under the Estera name to become Estera Administration (Guernsey) Limited.

Estera CEO Farah Ballands said: ’We are delighted to formally welcome the team at Morgan Sharpe to the Estera group. They bring a wealth of experience in fund administration to our team and we look forward to working with them to expand our presence in Guernsey, an important market and jurisdiction for the Estera group.’

With the acquisition finalised Estera now employs more than 370 people across the 10 jurisdictions it operates in, including more than 50 at the Isle of Man office on Athol Street, Douglas.

Sean Dowling, managing director in the Isle of Man, said: ’Acquiring Morgan Sharpe is a great step forward.’

Sean Dowling

Gary O’Connor