ISOLAS LLP

ISOLAS Partner Christian Caetano takes a look at the GFSC Annual Report 2023/24 with a Focus on Insurance. The Gibraltar Financial Services Commission (GFSC) has now published its 2023/2024 Annual Report. As expected, the Report provides a detailed overview of the regulatory, supervisory, policy and other activities conducted by the GFSC during the year. It is also noted that this year’s Report provides an update on the GFSC’s 2023-2026 Strategic Plan, summarising the progress which the organisation has undertaken in support of its key strategic goals. Read more ➡ https://lnkd.in/dxdfbVxX

Many thanks to the Gibraltar Federation of Small Businesses for organising the first Women in Enterprise (WIE) Breakfast Meeting. It was lovely to be asked to be on the panel and discuss work life, juggling a career with being a mum (I don’t profess to be an expert on this!) and related matters. Thanks to Michaela Rees for creating an inclusive, comfortable and non-judgmental forum for attendees to discuss issues important to them and to Tamsin Suarez for sharing her career journey and story with us. Looking forward to the next event on 28th Jan 2025 🗓️

ISOLAS Fintech team have again retained for 2025 the highest ranking available (Band 1) at Chambers and Partners. This award recognises the firm’s commitment to innovation and excellence as it continues to drive change in this fast moving sector. The team is working on the next stage of the development of Fintech in Gibraltar. The FinTech Team led by Partner Jonathan Garcia, has a proven track record of advising on groundbreaking FinTech projects and continues its work in replicating traditional finance models in the digital market place. The return of Senior Partner, The Hon Albert Isola CBE November 2023, has strengthened ISOLAS FinTech practice. Albert served as Minister for Financial Services and Gaming with HM Government of Gibraltar and was responsible for the introduction of the World’s first legal and regulatory framework for the DLT sector in 2018. Fintech Head Jonathan Garcia, ranked as Band 1 Chambers & Partners FinTech Legal, is also the Chair of the Gibraltar Funds & Investments Association’s (GFIA’s) having been elected to the post in 2024 after having served as Head of Technical Committee for a number of years. Jonathan’s expertise is also recognised by Fintech Legal respondents who say of him "…(he) helped us navigate the very complex regulatory landscape in the FinTech space. He is always available and provides comfort with his experience" and "Jonathan Garcia is extremely commercially savvy." Jonathan Garcia, Partner and Head of Fintech, added: “Our clients seek innovation and excellence and that is what we strive to deliver”.

ISOLAS LLP are looking to recruit a full time Legal Secretary to join the team. The role: Your role will be to provide a high quality secretarial/administrative service. The successful candidate will ideally have experience as a personal or executive assistant, and have a confident attitude and pro-active work approach. Responsibilities: • Copy typing of letters, memoranda, legal documents, file notes, amending and formatting documents efficiently and accurately; • Dealing with client enquiries either face-to-face or via telephone in a professional and courteous manner; • Relaying messages accurately where necessary and updating contact lists; • Preparing, processing, and issuing monthly invoices; • Maintaining efficient invoicing process and credit control system; • Proofreading and formatting of lengthy documents; • Diary management; • Booking meetings and conference facilities, and distributing relevant information; • Opening, updating, closing, and archiving of client files; • Assisting with on-boarding of new clients – collecting KYC and completing Risk Profiles; • Providing general administration including photocopying, scanning etc; • Organising and managing the receipt and transmissions of documents and correspondence; • Booking travel and accommodation and distributing travel plans; • Completing monthly expenses for each partner; • Updating business development register; • Managing and updating filing system; • Working as part of a team to ensure that effective secretarial cover is maintained. Requirements: To be successful you will be able to demonstrate the following: • Excellent attention to detail; • Organised individual with the ability to prioritise, working under pressure to tight deadlines; • Good Microsoft Office skills; • Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal; • The role requires absolute discretion and an ability to maintain confidentiality; • Personable, but highly professional with ability to cope with changing business demands; • Professional telephone manner, taking detailed messages effectively and efficiently; • Flexibility to work outside normal office hours as and when required; • Ability to both follow instructions and anticipate issues, exercising initiative and proactiveness; • Be comfortable working in a team environment but also enjoy working autonomously. What we offer! We offer competitive salaries, discretionary bonus scheme, private medical insurance, pension scheme and more! If you are interested in this role and feel that you have the necessary skills and experience, please send your CV to [email protected] by Monday 23rd December 2024. All applications will be treated in the strictest of confidence.

Today promises to be fun, and informative, as we support this year’s Career’s Fair being held at the MUGA with our teams manning STEP, ATCOM and The Law Council’s stands. We are looking forward to meeting young aspiring local talent who may be considering a career within the legal and financial services sector. ISOLAS Senior Partner Peter Isola was the founding President of the Gibraltar STEP Branch recognising very early on the importance of establishing what is a highly regarded global professional body comprising lawyers, accountants and other practitioners that help families plan for their future. STEP’s mission is “to inspire confidence in families planning their assets across generations by setting and upholding high professional standards, informing public policy, promoting education, and connecting practitioners globally to share knowledge and best practice”. Today STEP has over 21,000 members worldwide with full members, known as TEPs, internationally recognised as experts in their field, with proven qualifications and experience. ATCOM represents over 90% of all licensed Company and Trust Professionals working closely with HM Government of Gibraltar, Companies House and the Financial Services Commission ensuring members opinions and views are considered and represented in any decisions and changes affecting the sector. The Law Council represents Gibraltar’s legal profession “enhancing justice, regulation and the quality of legal services” on the Rock. The successor body to the Gibraltar Bar Council it is the representative organisation for lawyers in Gibraltar. ISOLAS Partner, and Gibraltar’s current STEP Chair, Adrian Pilcher TEP, together with Associate Louise Anne Turnock will be in attendance. Joining them is Fiduciary Group’s Managing Director and current ATCOM Vice-Chair Kate Bentley, Fiduciary Group Director and past ATCOM Chair Joey Imossi TEP, Company Manager Sabrina Ramagge and CRM Kimberly Bacarisa. ISOLAS Partner and current Vice-Chair of The Law Council Emma Azopardi Lejeune together with Managing Associate Nick Isola and Trainee Lawyers Emily Rose Pott and Anna Hernandez will be supporting the Law Council’s stand. So if you’re thinking of a career within the legal, trust and private client sector where you are constantly interacting with entrepreneurial motivated individuals don’t miss out on this opportunity to speak to the team and hear what it is really all about! We’re really looking forward to meeting you! ISOLAS LLP and Fiduciary Group are both STEP Accredited Employer Partners #gibraltarcareersfair #companymanagement #careers #legal #law #trust

The Peter J Isola Foundation has renewed its long-standing partnership with Calpe House GA, donating a further £30,000 in continued support. Initiated in 2017, this partnership has enabled the construction and furnishing of further properties, providing some 38 private en-suite rooms and shared spaces to meet the increasing demand for patient accommodation in London. Calpe House Chairman Albert Poggio OBE GMH received a £30,000 cheque from Peter Isola Trustee of the Foundation, who said: "We are proud to continue supporting Calpe House, a vital service that has helped and supported thousands of Gibraltarians and their families during their most difficult times. Anyone who has spent time there will understand just how important this support is". The Hon Albert Isola CBE Trustee added: "The Peter J ISOLA Foundation is and has always been committed to investing in the Gibraltarian community. There are few better causes than to care and support for our very own during their most challenging journeys facing treatment in London. We are all very pleased to continue this partnership that will support our community for years to come".

On Tuesday, November 19th, the Peter J Isola Foundation, in partnership with the Kusuma Trust, hosted the first of a series of six workshops for local charities titled "Accounting and Its Importance for Charities." The first workshop was delivered by Jose Julio (JJ) Pisharello , former Senior Partner at EY and a specialist in working with Charitable Organisations. The workshop attended by over 30 representatives and hosted by ISOLAS LLP covered the crucial aspects of good governance and practice, including effective communication of financial information, ensuring financial transparency, accurate reporting, and maintaining a strong reputation and credibility. Expressing his gratitude for the initiative, Jose Julio commented, "I am grateful to the Peter J Isola Foundation and Kusuma Trust for this fantastic initiative. I was delighted to participate and provide guidance to charities. The event was very engaging and useful, both as an opportunity for local charities to learn about the importance of accounting, but also to hear about the issues that charities face with submitting financial accounts and reports. Collaborating with charities to address common challenges of financial reporting will undoubtedly be key for them to enhance reputation and credibility." The Hon Albert Isola CBE added, " This series of workshops will be hugely useful to these Charities in improving and enhancing their operational models. I am delighted we have been able to help put these together. We have to be very conscious that we are dealing with other people's money, and that comes with the responsibility to ensure we are fulfilling our commitments in the way we promised, and we are accountable for it. Transparency and proper accounting are a critical part of the process that give the people the trust to donate to these charities. The Kusuma Trust Gibraltar extends its sincere thanks to Jose Julio for delivering such an informative workshop. His expertise and guidance were invaluable. We are grateful to all the charity members for their enthusiasm, collaboration, and support. We believe this workshop will have a significant positive impact on the financial management and governance of local charities.

The Peter J ISOLA Foundation is delighted to have been nominated for the Impact in Action Charities and Non-Profits Excellence Award at the Startup Grind Gibraltar Standards of Excellence & Startup Awards 2024! This nomination affirms the huge number of causes and people that the Foundation has supported since its establishment to mark the legacy of Peter and Rosie Isola and their unwavering commitment to supporting local charities that make a tangible difference to people’s lives. We have proudly carried their vision forward since 2006 with innovative fundraising ideas and sponsorship projects that directly benefit individuals and families in Gibraltar. Many hundreds of thousands of pounds have been raised during this time and donated to our community where needed most. The Peter J Isola Foundation has never sought recognition as it quietly supports those good causes in the community and this nomination is testament to our unwavering commitment to creating a lasting impact in our community. To vote for us please click here https://lnkd.in/dZaWBhRx *Closing Date for voting 30/11/2024

The Peter J Isola Foundation is delighted to have supported the startup of “Teenline”, a new helpline dedicated to providing free, confidential counselling support to young people. Teenline was launched last week by Minister Christian Santos. Research conducted by the Gibraltar Youth Service revealed a growing need for a dedicated helpline for young people. Many young individuals felt they had outgrown Childline and sought a more appropriate platform to share their challenges. Additionally, mental health has consistently emerged as a top issue on Childline’s helpline, highlighting the urgent need for specialised support. Peter Isola Trustee of the Foundation said, "We are delighted to have funded the launch of Teenline, in support of Childline Gibraltar’s fantastic initiative that will allow them to reach more young people and provide them with the support they need. The world is changing and the issues affecting teens and their mental health need further support. This is a great initiative which we are proud to be a part of.”