New company is set up to run Herm

Summer tourism is the island's main source of income

A new company has been formed to run the Channel Island of Herm.

Herm Island Ltd has been set up by the Starboard Settlement trust, which acquired a 40-year lease from the island's former tenants last week.

The trust said its intention was to maintain Herm as the "jewel in the Bailiwick's crown".

The island, which is 1.5 miles (2.4km) long and less than half-a-mile (0.8km) wide, is only accessible by boat and relies on summer tourism for income.

Directors' duties

Three directors have been appointed by the trust to Herm Island Ltd to run the island.

Andrew Bailey, who was the island's accountant for nearly 14 years, will be finance and administration director.

He will look after all financial aspects of Herm's various businesses, and also be responsible for ensuring health and safety laws and other legal requirements are adhered to.

Jonathan Watson, Andrew Bailey and Simon George are island residents

Jonathan Watson is hospitality director and will have responsibility for managing the island's catering and accommodation facilities.

Simon George has been appointed technical director and will be in charge of the maintenance of all buildings and services on the island, including Herm's own power house, which provides the island's electricity.

All three have lived on the island for a number of years.

Herm is part of the Bailiwick of Guernsey and has been a British Crown Dependency since 1204.

It has 50 inhabitants, which swells by 80 staff during the holiday season.