Crowds at Cobo Bay for balcony gigs
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Spirit of Guernsey celebrated at first Balcony Gig

Music lovers in Guernsey have been among the first in the British Isles to enjoy live music since the start of the Covid-19 crisis. They danced and celebrated with The Big Band Collective at the first of Guernsey’s family friendly outdoor Cobo Bay Hotel’s Balcony Gigs, which are sponsored by JT.

The popular fixture of the Guernsey summer calendar was due to begin in May with a series of tribute acts supported by local bands, but those were cancelled due to Covid-19. Now, thanks to the fact there are zero cases in Guernsey, large outdoor gatherings are permitted, so the Balcony Gigs could return.

Guernsey’s Chief Minister, Deputy Gavin St Pier, opened the event and said: “For me, like thousands of Islanders, it was great to be able to enjoy the first in the series of Cobo Bay Balcony Gigs. It’s thanks to the efforts of this community working together in its response to COVID-19 that we’re now in a position where events like this can be held, but we cannot take that for granted, especially knowing how unpredictable the global situation is and that the good position we’re in may not last forever. While we can, we should make the most of events like this both because they support our hospitality sector and because they’re a special part of Island life.”

JT’s Deputy Managing Director in Guernsey, Tamara O’Brien, said: “It’s so good to see the local economy starting to take a small step forward again and I’ve been blown away by the public response. We’re incredibly lucky to be able to enjoy large gatherings again and this event marks a very special moment for Guernsey.”

David Nussbaumer, who organises the events for Cobo Bay Hotel, said: “I was a little nervous about whether people would turn up or not, but the response has been fantastic. I’ve never seen so many people here. I’d estimate we’ve had well over 3,000 Islanders supporting local businesses and enjoying our brilliant local talent. This has been an extremely difficult year for the hospitality industry and we’re not through it yet. But to see so many coming together during tough times is humbling. I want to say how grateful we are to JT without whom we would not have been able to put this on.”

Tim Langlois, band member with The Big Band Collective, added: “We’re so fortunate in Guernsey that our government has managed the Covid-19 situation so that we are one of the few places in the British Isles able to put on events. We were so excited about this gig and being the first to perform after such an up and down year was a rare privilege none of us will forget.”

DXA Awards Shortlist - Tamara OBrien
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JT marketing and digital expertise in the running for two major awards

JT’s Christmas digital marketing campaign and the way data and insight is used to measure how customers rate their experiences have put JT on the shortlist for two national awards alongside some of the biggest names in the technology world.

The UK Digital Experience Awards has shortlisted JT in two categories – Best ‘Digital Marketing Campaign Initiative’ and Best ‘Use of Analytics and Insight’, alongside global household brands BT and EE.

JT’s ‘Step Into Christmas Together’ campaign which used Snapchat and Augmented Reality technology to create a festive virtual town has earned JT a place as one of five finalists. The campaign brought the highstreets’s magical appeal of Christmas to customers digitally, resulting in an 86% increase in online sales for the period. JT was also recognised for the changes it has put in place to collect customer experience data, allowing it to drive further improvements and channel more benefits back to its customers. As part of JT’s data analysis, it introduced ‘JT Voice’, an online feedback forum which has seen nearly 1,800 members register in the 12 months since it was launched.

Tamara O’Brien, Group Head of Marketing, Brand and Customer Experience, said: “I am thrilled that our team stands shoulder to shoulder with those in huge international companies like BT and EE. To be shortlisted for these prestigious awards is evidence of the hard work they put in every day, ensuring that the information we gather is used to deliver the very best possible service to our customers.”

This is the 6th year of the UK Digital Experience Awards and the first year in which it will be held entirely online. Judging of the finalists is due to take place on Thursday 16 July.

Balcony Gigs to return this summer
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Music to our ears as Balcony Gigs to return this summer

Having been cancelled earlier this year due to Covid-19, the highly anticipated Cobo Bay annual music festival, synonymous with summertime in Guernsey, will go ahead in August and September. The popular series of family-friendly, live outdoor music events, sponsored by JT, will resume with a fantastic line-up of local acts.

The return of the Balcony Gigs will be a welcomed celebration for islanders and a symbol of life returning to normal, having gone through such unprecedented times. This year, the free events will feature only local bands, highlighting the variety of talent we have right here on our doorstep. The festival’s programme has been built with the spirit of the ‘Guernsey together’ theme, which encourages islanders to celebrate together and support each other. The series kicks off on Sunday 2 August with The Big Band followed by four more events until 27 September.

David Nussbaumer, who organises the events for Cobo Bay Hotel, said: “Having gone through such challenging times, it’s fantastic we can come together and celebrate, we have a reason to party. We are thrilled to be able to put on the Balcony Gigs this year, working with our long-term partner JT to bring islanders of all ages together. It would have been really disappointing if the Balcony Gigs couldn’t have gone ahead when it’s such a big event in the island’s calendar year. Through our partnership with JT, we have been providing memorable community events that don’t involve travel or a ticket cost and we promise 2020 will bring a special close to the summer with a great atmosphere of local music, sun and fun for all the family.”

JT’s Deputy Managing Director in Guernsey, Tamara O’Brien, said: “For almost a decade now we’ve been partnering with Cobo Bay Hotel. It just wouldn’t be summer without Guernsey’s famous balcony gigs and we’re delighted the event series is able to go ahead. Bringing islanders together to enjoy the summer with free music and celebrate the place we call home, is what this is all about. This year, we will be celebrating everything that the Guernsey music scene has to offer with a local line-up of home-grown talent. Islanders have shown such resilience and a real sense of community throughout the pandemic, which is a cause for celebration as we ‘build back better’. This year’s event series will be one to remember.”

For those that are unable to attend, JT will be streaming highlights of the events on Facebook so islanders can enjoy the music from wherever they are. As always, given the beautiful location that these events take place in, and how lucky we are to benefit from them, we ask everyone attending to collect and take home their rubbish and leave Cobo Bay litter free.”

View the music line-up >>

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Intelligent Sustainability for homes and businesses thanks to JT’s acquisition of technology automation company Zero1

JT has recently expanded its intelligent engineering and home automation service offering by acquiring Jersey-based company, Zero1.  Founded in 2010, Zero1 made its name as a leading designer and supplier of environment and entertainment automation systems for homes and business in the Channel Islands.

Partnering with industry-leading manufacturers and using Jersey’s world-class full-fibre network, Zero1 designs and installs intelligent lighting and shading, security, heating and entertainment systems which fit seamlessly into homes and businesses. As more homes become workplaces and home schools, they need to be capable of running the smart applications and connected devices needed to keep our lives and economy going. Zero1’s tailor-made solutions combined with JT’s world-class fibre network and resources, will support making those places more efficient, comfortable, economic and sustainable.

Daragh McDermott, Managing Director of JT Channel Islands, said: “JT’s purpose is to connect our customers and enable their sustainable future. We have a proven track record in bringing products and services to market before our competitors, and Zero1 provides us with an opportunity to move into the exciting and growing world of ‘Smart’, automated and sustainable living.  Having one of the fastest broadband networks in the world, JT and Zero1 can now bring our solutions past the router into homes and businesses, improving sustainability, efficiency, comfort and productivity.   Services like this rely on the superior connectivity our fibre network provides and this is just another way of maximizing the potential of our islands network.

“Amongst many benefits of this joining together, will be combining the knowledge and design expertise of Zero1 with the engineering resources and capabilities of JT.  For example we can now use green technology to create sustainable buildings that keep track of our energy and water consumption and then decrease it through automation and connectivity.  This will reduce environmental impact, contributing to the island’s target to be ‘carbon neutral’ by 2030.”

For more information on Zero 1 visit www.zero1.je

Macmillan Jersey volunteer
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JT provides Macmillan Jersey with lifeline digital equipment to continue supporting vulnerable islanders

Research from Macmillan Cancer Support in the UK shows an estimate of around 2,000 people a week are going undiagnosed and nearly half of cancer patients have had their treatment changed, cancelled or delayed due to the coronavirus pandemic. Macmillan Jersey wants to remind islanders that health services are still open for other concerns and conditions too. With JT’s help, the local charity has made various operational changes and by using the powers of technology has continued helping islanders and their families at home and away throughout.

To be able to support Jersey patients and their families from a safe distance, JT has helped Macmillan Jersey by providing the charity with Cloud PBX technology, a phone system accessed through the internet, which enables the Macmillan Team to work remotely and continue emotional support and wellbeing services for patients and their families.

To make sure families stay connected to their loved ones while they undergo treatment and care away from home, JT will be loaning a number of basic mobile phone which will have incoming and outgoing calls and texts included free of charge. JT will also be loaning some portable mobile Wi-Fi devices which connect to the patient’s loan mobile phone to enable the use of free Wi-Fi.

Lauren Perchard-Rees, Chief Executive of Macmillan Cancer Support Jersey, said: “We are so thankful to JT for providing this lifeline equipment for our teams and patients to remain connected. It will make a tangible difference to their lives and improve the overall wellbeing of patients separated from loved ones due to self-isolating or ongoing treatment. Cancer affects the lives of so many of us, in so many challenging ways and we’re grateful at Macmillan Jersey that we can continue to operate. Charities have been hit hard due to Covid-19 and we need the support of our local community to enable us to continue helping islanders and their families living with and beyond cancer.”

Tamara O Brien, Group Head of Customer Experience for JT, said: “Part of our purpose at JT is keeping our customers connected and doing the very best we can for our people and our communities. We are all proud to support Macmillan Jersey, helping them to maintain their services in supporting islanders living with cancer and keeping patients in touch with their families. We know now more than ever how vital digital technology is, which, for many has been the only way of communicating with family and friends during lockdown. During such challenging times, it’s important we help those most vulnerable and raise awareness of the excellent work Macmillan Jersey does in caring for our loved ones within our community.”

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JT Appoints New Chief Financial Officer

With more than 25 years’ experience working in senior finance roles, Hélène Narcy has been appointed as JT’s Chief Financial Officer, taking a position on the Group Board and the Executive Committee.

Hélène, who started her career in telecommunications, before working for some of the world’s leading financial institutions, takes over from John Kent who is retiring, after serving in the role since 2012.

She joined JT in July 2019 after ten years working for UBS in Jersey and the US, returning to the island after two years in New York. Hélène has also lived and/or worked in France, China and the UAE, in senior management roles and leading financial transformation projects.

Hélène graduated from the prestigious Grande Ecole ESCP, and holds the French accounting Diploma.

She commented: “Leading the finances of a company with JT’s strong global reputation is a challenge I am really looking forward to, and I have been really impressed with the quality and dedication of the whole team at JT.

“Telecommunications is a fast-moving, dynamic sector and providing innovative products and services is so important to all islanders. It is great to be working in this industry again, and to be able to add value to JT’s operations in the Channel Islands, and across the world.”

Graeme Millar, JT’s Chief Executive Officer, said: “I am delighted to welcome Hélène to JT. Her knowledge, skills and experience will really help us to take the business forward, applying the most exacting international financial standards.

“I would also like to thank John Kent, whose vast experience and strategic thinking has played a significant part in the success of the JT story for nearly a decade.

“JT’s purpose is to enable our customers’ connected lives, and Hélène will help us to achieve that throughout challenging times for individuals and businesses, and to play our part in facilitating the Channel Islands’ recovery.”

For more information please click here.

JT Progress Report 2020
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JT publishes 2019/20 Progress Report

St. Helier, Jersey: the JT Group has released its annual update report detailing progress over the last 12 months, as it continues to support its local communities through the Covid-19 pandemic. Over the last eight weeks JT has doubled the minimum broadband speeds (from 500 Mb/s to 1Gb/s) for all fibre customers at no cost, to help them work, and stay connected at home, as well as extending that network to more of those islanders who previously only relied on a landline.

Overall, the Report details a stable financial performance over the last 12 months, with revenue, profits and dividends to JT’s owner, the Government of Jersey, remaining broadly on a par with previous years.

The 2019/20 Progress Report mainly focusses on the last full calendar year before the pandemic changed the way many people across the world are living their lives, and JT has a formal requirement to publish it at this time every year. The Group’s CEO & Chairman, Graeme Millar & Phil Male, have also written a special introduction to the document which sets out how JT has responded to this time of national emergency.

JT Chairman, Phil Male, commented: “We know that our customers and stakeholders have more on their minds at the moment than JT’s performance, however we hope they will find this review of the last twelve months interesting and informative.

“Clearly it mainly focusses on the year before the Covid-19 pandemic, which was another strong one for the Group, as we continued to invest heavily in Channel Island networks. This investment has stood islanders in good stead now so many of us are working from home, and using technology to interact with family, friends and colleagues.

“2019 was also a year when we upped our investment in emerging technologies such as the Internet of Things, Cyber security and 5G. I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the team at JT for their continued hard work and commitment, not least in recent weeks when despite the worrying global health situation, they have worked tirelessly to ensure islanders can stay connected.”

CEO Graeme Millar added: “I’m proud of the way JT has played its part in recent weeks to help its communities deal with the disruption posed by Covid-19. It has been a tough, worrying and uncertain time for many of our customers which is likely to continue for a while yet.

“Our teams and networks have responded very well indeed to the challenge. We have also done what we can to financially support our customers who may be finding it tough, such as by suspending all charges for late payments, or going over broadband usage limits, offering better terms to suppliers and providing local landline calls for free. Throughout this period JT will be calmly focussed on its core role: to make sure the islands, our people, and our businesses, stay connected.”

You can read JT’s Progress Report 2019/20 and Financial Statements by clicking here.

EVie environmentally sustainable e-bikes
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JT Supporting the Green Transport Revolution

A fleet of environmentally sustainable e-bikes and e-vehicles are being kept on the road thanks to the award-winning mobile network and technology developed by JT.

JT’s IoT (Internet of Things) division worked with the team at EVie while it was testing its e-bikes in Europe, and now provides the smart data connectivity that’s needed in all of its e-bikes and electric vehicles used on Jersey’s roads.

That technology is used by EVie to track the location and status of the entire fleet enabling it to keep its emission-free cars, vans and bikes moving 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. It allows customers to simply use the apps to locate their nearest e-bike or to hire an electric car or van, wherever they are in the island.

Tom Noel, JT’s Director of Corporate Affairs and Sustainability, said: “Supporting the environment and helping drive sustainability for our community are at the heart of what we do at JT. With our growing global network and our skills within IoT technology, we’ve been able to help find a viable and innovative way to change how we, as a community, think about transportation. Working with an organisation like EVie that shares our values, fits perfectly with JT’s purpose of connecting our customers to their sustainable future.”

Customers simply download EVie’s Freebike app or the EVie Car app, register and follow the process to start using one of the green machines, and in response to the COVID-19 crisis, EVie is providing 50 of its e-bikes free of charge to healthcare workers as part of its #EVieWarrior campaign. The fully electric, long range bikes can shorten the commute time for key healthcare workers.

Gavin Breeze, Director at EVie, said: “Among our aims at EVie is to convert Jersey into an all-electric island, reduce congestion on our roads and in car parks and promote healthier lifestyles. Being able to link into JT’s world-class mobile network has been key to the success of this project. Having the input from JT’s experts available on our doorstep meant we were able to launch both our electric vehicle and e-bike services with ease.”

Mac Millan Cancer Support
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Communications boost for local cancer charity, with JT partnership

JT’s 600 plus people have always played a key role when it comes to choosing which charities will benefit from their annual fundraising and volunteering activities.  Having people with an active interest in their communities means they have strong connections to organisations that make a real difference.

This year, across the seven global locations where JT have an office, people unanimously decided in their annual ballot that charities which support people living with cancer and their families would be the focus of their giving and support in 2020.   The Jersey office has chosen Macmillan Cancer Support Jersey, who offer support to anyone affected by cancer in the island, and their team in Guernsey will partner with Guernsey Cancer support.

Lauren Perchard-Rees, Macmillan Jersey’s Chief Executive said: “We are delighted to be partnering with JT, a team that is clearly passionate about being part of what we do. With their digital expertise and telecoms infrastructure, we are hoping to take our fundraising to a new level, using automated donations and planning ‘drop-in’ sessions in JT’s Queen Street store.   Over half of those that use Macmillan Jersey’s services are friends and family of people who have been diagnosed. Together with JT, we will be helping keep families connected to their loved ones while being away from home for treatment and care.”

Tamara O’Brien, Group Head of Customer Experience said: “With nearly 2,000 cancer diagnoses a year in the Channel Islands, the chances are we all know someone, likely more than one person, who has been affected in some way by this disease.

“For this reason alone, we are all fully committed to supporting Macmillan Jersey and Guernsey Cancer Support as they care for our loved ones. It’s important to us that we get involved with causes that are dedicated to helping others because without additional support, many services would not be so readily available.”

Helping local charities and initiatives is embedded into JT’s culture; it’s a great way to bring people together and give back to the places we call home. We will be working with Macmillan Jersey and Guernsey Cancer Support to make the best use of our expertise to help develop their digital patient services and make a positive impact where it is most needed.

Over the past 12 months, JT teams have raised over £21,000 for charities around the world also supporting our Australian colleagues in the aftermath of the recent devastating bush fires.

Check our latest JT Presents video featuring Macmillan Cancer Support > 

Balcony Gigs 2020
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Balcony gigs announce line-up for this year’s summer festival of free music

Cobo Bay Hotel’s Balcony Gigs are synonymous with summertime in Guernsey. The popular series of family-friendly, live outdoor music events sponsored by JT is back, with tributes to music of the past and present that will bring our shores to life.  Every year, legendary tribute acts supported by talented local bands have created memorable long weekends of free entertainment, becoming a firm favourite in the Guernsey Holiday calendar.

This year’s series kicks off on Sunday 3 May with a tribute to the kings of English Ska music, Madness. Throughout the summer six events are planned, with the last act taking to the balcony on Sunday 30 August. As in previous years, the events will also raise money for the Guernsey Cheshire Homes and Guernsey Cancer Support, JT’s chosen charity for 2020.

JT’s Deputy Managing Director in Guernsey, Tamara O’Brien, said: “It just wouldn’t be summer without Guernsey’s famous balcony gigs.  For almost a decade we have partnered with Cobo Bay Hotel, bringing islanders and visitors together to enjoy a whole summer of free music from May to August. This year we have another great line up of tribute acts and my family and friends have already ‘saved the dates’.  Many of us may be planning to spend the Summer on our beautiful island this year and these events give us all something to look forward to.’

Our JT team will be at the events helping liven up the music with our famous JT biodegradable / re-usable freebies.  We will also be livestreaming from the bay at every event, interacting with the crowd and the bands across all our social channels.

David Nussbaumer, organiser of Cobo Bay Hotel’s Balcony Gigs, said: “Our long-term partnership with JT means we can secure some of the best tribute acts on the scene. Together we have been providing memorable community events that don’t involve travel or a ticket cost and we promise 2020 will be another great summer of music, sun and fun for all the family.”

We know how lucky we are to enjoy events like these in such beautiful surroundings and would ask that everyone attending remembers to play their part to help ensure that Cobo Bay remains litter free by collecting and taking home their rubbish.