The Board of Directors of Visit Jersey Limited, the organisation responsible for promoting Jersey as a tourist destination, announces the appointment of Matthew Jones and James Hooker as Non-Executive Directors, effective from 1 August 2025.
Matthew and James have been appointed to replace Martin George, who has now taken on the role of Chair at Visit Jersey, and Patrick Burke, who will be retiring by rotation following years of valued contribution to the Board.
Matthew Jones is the owner and director of The Moorings Hotel & Restaurant in Jersey, which he runs with his wife, Iselin. With a deep-rooted passion for hospitality, Matthew is committed to delivering exceptional guest experiences that celebrate Jersey’s food, culture, and natural beauty. As a Non-Executive Director of Visit Jersey, he brings hands-on industry insight and a strong belief in the island’s potential as a world-class destination. A proud family man and enthusiast of food, wine, and life, Matthew is dedicated to promoting Jersey as a place to savour and explore.
Under Matthew’s leadership with Iselin, The Moorings has the distinction of being the first and only Mr. & Mrs. Smith hotel in Jersey, and was listed in the prestigious MICHELIN Guide in 2025.
James Hooker is Chief Financial Officer of Somerston Capital, overseeing the finance and operations of Somerston Group’s direct investments in the UK and Europe, including the Castlebridge Hospitality group of IHG-branded hotels across the UK and Spain. James is also a director of the group’s hotel management company, supporting the executive team.
James is a chartered accountant and brings extensive expertise in transaction and risk management, financial analysis and stakeholder reporting, and previously worked in restructuring with Deloitte (UK) and KordaMentha (Australia). He holds a BSc in Economics from the University of Nottingham and is a member of the Australian Restructuring and Insolvency Association.
Visit Jersey Chair, Martin George, said of the appointments: “I am delighted to welcome Matthew and James to the Board. Both bring valuable experience, fresh perspective, and a deep understanding of the tourism and hospitality landscape. Their insight will be instrumental in helping Visit Jersey deliver impactful, long-term value for the island. On behalf of the Board, I would also like to thank Patrick Burke for his years of service and dedication, which have made a lasting contribution to Jersey’s visitor economy.”
