MEMBERS of the Jersey branch of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners raised a total £12,500 this week for the Jersey Opera House appeal – by attending a two-hour seminar.

Branch chairman Rosemary Marr described the fund-raising as ‘a cause for celebration’ and said it showed the continuing commitment of the finance industry to the Island.

Over 400 practitioners attended the event on Wednesday afternoon which focused on the role and duties of trustees in relation to investment.

Members paid £50 each to attend and the remainder of the costs were met by sponsors Schroders Private Bank and law firm Bedell Cristin.

Speaker Debbie Sebire, director of trust company business at the Jersey Financial Services Commission, said it was important for trustees to set out the ground rules from the start, to carry out proper research on potential investments and to avoid any personal conflicts of interest.

Mrs Sebire added that it was likely that investment would be a topic for further investigation by the Commission during 2006.