Jersey Finance appoints Head of Business Development for the Gulf Cooperation Council and India

Jersey Finance has appointed Sean Costello as Head of Business Development for the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and India.

In his new role, Sean will head up Jersey Finance’s new offices in both Abu Dhabi and Mumbai, which are due to be officially opened in March 2011. He will be responsible for representing Jersey’s finance industry in both regions and building on the links Jersey Finance has established with industry leaders, business introducers, public officials and regulators in the GCC and India.

With more than 13 years’ experience in marketing and business development in the UK and internationally, Sean was most recently Business Development Director for PwC's global Sovereign Wealth Fund clients, headquartered in Abu Dhabi. He was also recently appointed as a committee member to the British Business Group in Abu Dhabi.

Sean spent his early career as a history teacher and British Army officer, before moving into public relations, taking on a senior management role with Deloitte UK, where he was responsible for PR and communications in the firm’s Central region. He then moved to become Head of Marketing and Business Development for PwC in their Northern region until 2008. Sean has managed projects ranging from regional public relations, employee engagement, branding, events, strategic sponsorships and client service programmes.

Born in Bedford, Sean is a Chartered Marketer and Member of the Chartered Institute of Marketing and the Chartered Institute of Public Relations, and is a Business Leader of the Marketing Society (UK). He holds a Masters Degree from the University of London and postgraduate teaching qualification from Durham University.

Sean lists a range of activities among his interests, including golf, hill-walking, camping, military history and photography.

Geoff Cook, CEO, Jersey Finance, commented:

"I am delighted to welcome Sean to the team at Jersey Finance. His appointment is an exciting development for us and a further reflection of Jersey’s wider commitment to cementing relationships with key international markets.

“In recent months we have seen growing interest from Gulf nations and India in the capabilities of Jersey’s finance industry, particularly our wealth management, corporate, banking and funds businesses. Sean’s experience and specific regional knowledge will be vital as we look to capitalise on our success so far and build Jersey’s positive links with key contacts in the GCC and India this year.”