Mr Powell is respected throughout the offshore financial world as chairman of the Offshore Group of Banking Supervisors - a role he has held since 1981 - and as representative of the OGBS at meetings of the Financial Action Task Force.From 1969 to 1999 he worked for the States of Jersey, initially as economic adviser and subsequently as chief adviser. Since then he has continued in the role of adviser to the States on international affairs, leading the Island into international negotiations on the European Savings Tax Directive and Tax Information Exchange Agreements.