Sophie Bonakdar
PRESIDENT
Sophie applies her background in the creative arts, sales, marketing and customer service to build relationships with Orchard PR’s clients and deliver impactful communications campaigns.
Sophie has a BA hons degree in Metalwork and Jewellery Design and from there went on to spend 10 years working in luxury jewellery retail, using her networking and strong communication skills to build an extensive and loyal client base.
Alongside a love of selling, Sophie put her forward-thinking approach to good use, creating campaigns, social strategies and hosting events. She has a love of cooking (with an extensive cookery book collection!), swimming and exploring the beautiful Guernsey coastline.
Sophie took over as President of YBG in April 2025.Contact Sophie at: [email protected].
Mike Fogarty
VICE PRESIDENT & CO-SOCIAL SECRETARY
Mike is a financial advisor and relationship manager at HSBC and joined the YBG Council in January 2023.
Contact Mike at [email protected].
Raphael Chitambria
COMPANY SECRETARY
Raphael is an Associate* in the Corporate department of Ogier in Guernsey.
Raphael was admitted as an Attorney of the High Court of South Africa in 2019, having trained at Norton Rose Fulbright South Africa (which included a short secondment at Anglo America Limited), followed by spending a year at Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr in South Africa.
Raphael has acted for a number of financial institutions, private equity firms and mining companies. He has experience in advising on a variety of corporate matters including mergers, acquisitions, corporate governance, corporate finance, corporate restructuring, mining acquisitions, shareholders agreements and due diligence investigations.
*admitted in South Africa
Oliver Rowe
TREASURER
Oliver has been a dedicated member of the Young Business Group (YBG) since the start of 2024, serving as both Treasurer and Director. As Treasurer, he ensures that the organization’s funds are managed properly, meticulously recording all financial transactions and preparing annual accounts. In his role as Director, he plays a pivotal part in planning the development of YBG, raising awareness, and ensuring our continued success.
Oliver's professional journey began in the hospitality industry, where he managed hotels and restaurants across the UK, Europe, and America. The impact of the Covid-19 pandemic led him back to Guernsey, where he transitioned into a career in finance. Starting as a personal banker, Oliver quickly discovered a passion for finance, which prompted him to pursue further qualifications in financial advice.
Oliver's dedication and expertise helped him rise through the ranks to become a Wealth Manager, where he now helps clients achieve their financial goals and ensure their prosperity.
Oliver is deeply committed to the mission of YBG, recognizing its importance in supporting the younger generation and newcomers to the island. Oliver values the opportunities YBG provides for professional and personal networking and is passionate about giving back to the community that raised him.
Through his work with YBG, Oliver strives to maintain and enhance Guernsey’s appeal and vibrancy.
Outside of his professional endeavours, Oliver enjoys refurbishing his home, planning his next holiday, spending time with friends, and working on his car.
Emilia Bianco
MEMBERSHIP SECRETARY
With extensive experience across customer/client relationship management positions across jewellery, travel and recruitment industries, Emilia always has people at the heart of everything she does.
Emilia joined Alexander Daniels in April 2023, after travelling central and South America, where within a year has been promoted to senior consultant.
With a love for collaboration, building meaningful relationships, and understanding the needs of the people she serves, she goes above and beyond to ensure service with excellence is provided consistently.
Emilia joined YBG council in February 2024.
In her spare time you'll see her making the most of the outdoors, getting in the sea, or travelling where she can explore new cultures and meet new people.Contact Emilia at [email protected].
Rebecca Hale
COUNCIL MEMBER & PAST PRESIDENT
Rebecca is an Advocate and Senior Associate in the Insolvency and Dispute Resolution team at Walkers (Guernsey) LLP. She was admitted to the roll of Solicitors of the Senior Courts of England and Wales in 2015 and moved to Guernsey in 2016 after working and completing her training contract at a litigation practice in the City of London. Rebecca was called to the Guernsey Bar on December 2024.
Rebecca regularly advises in all manner of commercial and contentious trusts disputes and contentious insolvency matters.
Rebecca is an Affiliate member of STEP and Membership Secretary for the Guernsey International Legal Association.
Rebecca served as President of YBG from March 2023 to May 2025.
Lindsey Dean
COUNCIL MEMBER & PAST PRESIDENT
Lindsey is a qualified Chartered Accountant and a Senior Audit Manager at Collenette Jones. She has developed her own portfolio, covering various types of companies, provides accounting support in house and manages the Practical Experience Requirement Scheme for trainees within the firm.
After obtaining an honours degree in Accounting and Finance from her hometown in Brighton, she moved to Guernsey in 2003.
Jamie Bougourd
COUNCIL MEMBER
Jamie is an Administrative Assistant and Business Support at HSBC. He supports an advanced fund management team. Jamie has been Company Secretary for YBG since 2018.
Jarrad Knoetze
COUNCIL MEMBER
Jarrad is a Senior Associate* in Walkers' Guernsey Insolvency & Dispute Resolution and Regulatory & Risk Advisory practice groups and advises on all aspects of corporate and commercial disputes, including insolvency and trust disputes. Jarrad also advises on contentious and non-contentious regulatory matters, with a focus on matters relating to data protection, AML and CFT related issues, GFSC investigations and remediation programmes and SARs.
Jarrad has been practising in Guernsey since 2019, works with clients across the financial services industry in Guernsey, including financial institutions, trust companies and onshore law firms.
*admitted in South Africa and England & Wales
Omolola Botsane
COUNCIL MEMBER
Omolola is a finance and banking Associate* in the Corporate department of Appleby in Guernsey.
Omolola was admitted as an Attorney of the High Court of South Africa in May 2022, having trained and practised as an attorney at Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr, one of the leading corporate and commercial law firms in South Africa, during which time she gained experience in the Dispute Resolution, Finance & Banking, and Human Rights & Pro Bono practice areas.
Prior to joining Appleby, Omolola's experience was predominantly in telecommunications regulatory work and commercial litigation in various sectors.
*admitted in South Africa
