Mark Helyar

Mark Helyar, a highly regarded Guernsey Advocate, serves as Of Counsel at Bedell Cristin in Guernsey, Channel Islands. Previously, he held the position of founding and managing partner at the firm from 2006 to 2016.

As a Barrister of Grays Inn and a Notary Public, Mark holds multiple degrees and has pursued studies at universities in the UK and France, including Caen University. His expertise lies in the utilization of protected cell and incorporated cell companies for investment funds, reinsurance, insurance, and insurance-linked securities (ILS), earning him recognition as a leading practitioner by international independent legal directories.

Mark has provided guidance to foreign governments across Europe, the Middle East, and Asia, as well as their regulatory authorities, on the drafting, establishment, regulation, and utilization of segregated cell companies. From 2012 to 2014, he held the position of Batonnier of the Guernsey Bar Council. Throughout his career, Mark and his team have received numerous nominations and international awards for pioneering ILS transactions, including the world's first private listed catastrophe bond (Solidum), the first-ever Takaful securitization structured as a Sharia-compliant note (Salam III), and the distinguished recognition of "Life deal of the year 2016" for SQ Re Vita II at the Trading Risk Awards.

Since stepping down as a partner in August 2016, Mark has focused on strategic business development matters with clients. Additionally, he serves as a director for various Guernsey regulated insurers, reinsurers, investment funds, and ILS issuers/transformers. Mark played a pivotal role in establishing the Bedell Trust operation in Mauritius and has been involved in structuring numerous cross-border transactions using Mauritian companies over many years.