FOR THE BEST SOCIAL EVENTS
The Isle of Man Business Network is a not for profit organisation, run by volunteers. We provide members with an opportunity to meet like minded people and expand their network. We hold a variety of learning and networking events which encourage self-development through training, education and mutual support. Our events are available for people who work in any industry and to people at all stages of their careers.
From the ‘Budget Breakfast’ to ‘Business Start Ups’, these meetings feature a range of high profile speakers from the business, political and social world of the Isle of Man. The Breakfasts are worth the early start for the great food alone!
We hold several free lunchtime sessions each year aimed at updating the Island’s business community on a range of key topics, including updates from the Department of Economic Development and the Isle of Man Treasury.
These form the core of our yearly event schedule. With speakers from the Island’s business community, key government figures and high profile speakers from further afield, there will be a speaker and a topic to interest everyone.
A wide variety of social activities are organised throughout the year. Our aim is to make networking easy and fun, as well as useful! Our social events offer the opportunity to make new contacts and catch up with old friends while enjoying a good Summer BBQ or Christmas party.
We hold several events specifically designed to encourage and develop networking, including our ever popular Speed Networking event, along with several team activities during the year such as our Wine Tasting Challenge.
Curious about what goes on behind the doors of Isle of Man businesses? Previous visits have included the Isle of Man Film Studio, the new Nobles Hospital, Incinerator Plant, Water Treatment Plant and the Hooded Ram Brewery.
We offer skills based coaching events provided by some of the Island’s leading soft-skills trainers. If you would like the opportunity to build your confidence, become a more effective speaker or to help build skills that will push your career forward, come and join one of our soft-skills events.
Some stats from 2020. We have plenty more social, learning and networking events planned for 2021, so keep an eye out for updates!
“What struck me most about the Isle of Man Business Network was the desire to support the greater good. They are led by a team of upcoming business leaders who need to balance their own careers with the huge additional workload of such a vibrant organisation. They saw the need to reinvent themselves and through their own resourcefulness and dedication; rebranded, refocused and re-energised. They and their members are not hesitant in challenging Government and myself positively but with a genuine desire to ensure the Isle of Man remains relevant and competitive. For me they epitomise the mantra of “Freedom to Flourish”.
John Spellman, Director of Financial Services Isle of Man Government.
The network has developed over the past few years to be one of the islands most influential in the business community. All of the events are well attended by all levels - keeping not only up and coming talent abreast of important issues but also the business leaders of today. The quality of the speakers they attract speaks volumes of their importance to the islands future success.
Simon Nicholas - Partner, KPMG
Barclays supports the Isle of Man Business Network’s events across all corporate grades, from Director-level through to those working on the front line in our branches and our call centre. This is what I think makes it stand out from the crowd locally; where else would you see people of such vast experience and from such diverse backgrounds networking together on an equal footing? Our colleagues really enjoy attending events because it gives them a chance to meet and build relationships with new faces and people in other companies, whilst at the same time broadening their horizons. It really does play a pivotal role on the Island, and I’m delighted to see it going from strength to strength.
Lawrence Looney - Director – Head of Overseas Services Operations, Barclays
The Isle of Man Business Network continues to offer a collaborative approach to communication, being a key partner in the Department’s local outreach with the business community. Over the years IOMBN have helped us to promote key initiatives and suggest new ideas for engaging with a new audience in the Isle of Man.
Jessica Kelly – Head of Marketing and Business Intelligence, Department of Enterprise
“The Isle of Man Business Network has played a significant role in promoting and supporting the Isle of Man business community and has helped raise awareness of the Isle of Man. The Network provides excellent opportunities through events and other activities to stimulate collaboration and co-operation across a broad spectrum of organisations in the Isle of Man, including private sector, Government and third sector. Sharing knowledge and success across the business community has also supported development of the skills and knowledge of our colleagues and future talent. Many of the guest speakers, both local and international, have delivered excellent seminars on very topical and thought provoking topics, helping to broaden the thinking of those on the Island and help with innovation and development of our business community and people. Over the past 2 years, the Isle of Man Business Network has been truly transformational, inspirational and refreshing.”
Simon Scott, Managing Director of Barclays Isle of Man
The Isle of Man Business Network is unique in the way it offers both development and network opportunities for people working at all levels and in any type of business on the Island. Very importantly, membership and events are accessible and offer the opportunity to encourage staff from commerce, Government and third sector to attend soft skills training that works across all sectors, and encourages future leaders to share best practice, forging relationships which will form the development of the Island’s future prosperity and success. The Committee proactively seek and listen to feedback from members about what training and support they need now to help them strengthen and grow, and consistently deliver relevant events of a high quality. The common threads to their activities are a focus on excellence, organisations and people working together, a can-do optimistic approach to the Island’s future business success, and constantly recognising and responding to the changing needs of the commercial sector. Any age, any level, any sector – I can think of no other organisation on the Island that positively positions itself to respond to the needs of the Island’s business community in such a unique and focused way.”
Fiona Dawson, Chief Executive of The Children’s Centre, Isle of Man
ILS World has worked with the Isle of Man Business Network for many years. They are a dynamic mix of people and it has always been a pleasure to work with them to arrange events that we both believe address the topics and issues affecting the business community in Isle of Man. The network thrives by providing opportunities to meet like-minded people and brings individuals from all sectors of the business community together for both learning and social events.
Chris Eaton - Chief Executive – ILS World
We are pleased and proud to have been associated with the Isle of Man Business Network for many years, be it through attending their many top-class events, providing sponsorship or staff involvement. There seems to be a collaborative buy in to working hard, as a team, and with enthusiasm and a clear goal of providing a platform for like-minded business men and women to flourish.
Tristan Head - Director Cains
“As a regular attendee for a number of years and still continually benefitting from the diverse range of professionally organised network events and educational presentations, I can recommend membership of the Isle of Man Business Network to a whole range of Island based businesses from start-ups to established large organisations. The organisers are extremely approachable and dedicated to delivering enthusiastic speakers as well as social events allowing easy access to senior representatives from a spectrum of business sectors on the Island. Manx Utilities has specifically been supported in its diversification into low carbon technologies with the opportunity to collaboratively work with a transportation company offering an innovative and competitive leasing scheme for electric cars. The friendly atmosphere engendered by the organisers allows easy transfer of experience, knowledge and sharing of best practice to support both small forward looking businesses in their early stages of development as well as helping more mature organisations to transform their business processes to adapt to a more challenging and dynamic global marketplace. I am constantly making invaluable and worthwhile business contacts and am confident the IOMBN will maintain its high standards as it becomes recognised as the premier organisation to transform the business landscape on the Isle of Man.”
Dr Richard Bujko, Isle of Man Business Network member.