This week, as we extend our best wishes to clients, introducers and colleagues for a happy 2026, we are inundated with reviews of the year gone by and forecasts for the one ahead. I will not fall into either trap. I prefer not to dwell on the past and as for the new year, I agree with Danish physicist Niels Bohr who argued that predictions are difficult – especially when they are about the future.

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That said, the arrival of 2026 is significant as it marks the beginning of the second quarter of the 21^st century. To use a famous saying often misattributed to Confucius, we have lived in interesting times. And the years ahead are unlikely to become any less exciting.

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I am confident that 2026 will be a particularly good year for Gibraltar and, by extension, all of us. To understand why, let us take a quick glance back at 2025. 

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On a national level, Gibraltar celebrated its removal from the EU’s grey list of uncooperative jurisdictions. Whilst I have always believed that we should never have been on that list, I am glad we can move forward. 

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In June, a broad agreement was reached on the long-awaited treaty between the UK and the European Union on the future of Gibraltar’s relationship with the bloc. Just before Christmas, it was announced that its drafting is complete and I am looking forward to the positive change that a fluid border will bring. Obvious benefits have already been set out in detail locally; what excites me more are the opportunities yet to emerge from what will be a seminal moment in the Rock’s recent history.

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At Acquarius, my co-director Gareth Cross and I marked an exciting new chapter with the successful completion of a management buy-out six months ago. While Acquarius has been an integral part of Gibraltar’s trust and corporate services sector for nearly thirty years, we are excited about what lies ahead. 

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Yes, there is good reason to be optimistic as we move into 2026 and the second quarter of the century. But let us not be complacent. Other jurisdictions are watching us closely and as we continue to generate good press, they will no doubt look for ways to compete. However, I genuinely believe that Gibraltar offers more than other finance centres, both large and small. 

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If you would like to discuss how we can help you achieve your goals this year, perhaps through a Gibraltar company or trust structure, do not hesitate to reach out. We have the tools to help you get the job done.

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From Gareth and me, we wish you and your families a happy, prosperous and above all peaceful New Year.

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