Written by Tom Zierer and Annaliese McGeoch
When we first came up with the idea for the IoD Guernsey Next Gen Forum in 2022, we set out with a clear mission: to create a platform that would engage, empower, and elevate the next generation of board-ready leaders in Guernsey. Over the past two and a half years, we’ve seen that vision take root and grow. From our sell-out launch event to a packed calendar of workshops, training opportunities, networking events, guest speakers, and collaborations, the momentum has been extraordinary.
But as any good board will tell you, success isn’t just about building – it’s about sustaining. And that’s why we believe in the power of succession.
Succession isn’t simply a box-ticking exercise. It’s a fundamental pillar of governance. Boards that plan for leadership transition are more resilient, diverse, and forward-looking. They bring in fresh perspectives, new energy, and the agility needed to stay relevant in a rapidly changing world.
In the context of the Forum, succession means not just growing, but being ambitious enough to evolve and adapt. As we prepare to hand over the reins, we do so not because our job is done, but because we believe the Forum must evolve, continue to engage, and present opportunities to address emerging challenges and ambitions of tomorrow’s leaders.
It is with great pride, therefore, that we introduce the incoming Chair, Euan Melrose, and Co-Vice Chairs: Liz Chalmers and Max Hamon.
Euan has been instrumental in shaping the Forum’s direction to date, having been on the committee since it was launched. We are confident that he will leverage his experience and skill set to continue to lead the Forum and committee into its next chapter.
Liz and Max both joined the committee in 2025 and have made significant contributions to the committee and Forum already. Liz’s keen eye for detail, organisation, and passion for networking and connection building, alongside Max’s deep expertise in tech and the AI space, mean that their skills complement one another well and bring a diversity of thought. Together, their energy, experience, and dedication to growing the Forum’s reach and impact make them the ideal team to lead this next phase.
As we reflect on the journey since November 2022, a few highlights stand out. We’ve engaged over 350 young professionals through our events and built partnerships with leading firms and community organisations. As a committee, we have all learned and developed new skills by collaborating in a different context from our day jobs. Challenging opinions and helping develop ideas around the boardroom table has been a great learning experience for everyone. Our commitment to fostering inclusion has seen us attract a broad, representative audience that spans sectors, disciplines, and backgrounds.
More importantly, we’ve helped shift the conversation. In Guernsey, there’s growing recognition that board succession and pipeline development aren’t “nice to haves” – they are essentials. Forums like ours are now seen as a strategic part of that pipeline, preparing future leaders to not only take their seats but also to be effective, informed, and values-driven directors. It has been a testament to the Forum’s reach and success that so many other organisations, companies, and industry bodies have followed suit and been empowered to create platforms aligned with similar values, objectives, and aims as the Forum.
Our own transition also sends a message: leadership is a relay, not a solo marathon run. Good governance demands timely handovers, precise planning, and the humility to know when to step aside so others can step up. That’s not just good practice – it’s good culture.
We would like to thank the IoD Guernsey branch, our sponsors, and every member who has engaged, challenged, and supported us along the way. Your contributions have helped build a platform that will outlast us all.
Succession is not the end. It’s the next beginning.