Autumn Influence Dinner: Securing our Island’s economic future

IoD Isle of Man is hosting its premier event of the year on 2nd October 2025 at the Comis Hotel & Golf Resort, at which leading voices will debate how the Island can secure its long-term economic prosperity.

Sponsored by Appleby and Lloyds Bank International, Securing Our Island’s Economic Future: The Road to 2035, will explore a key question: what must we do to ensure our Island is strong and prosperous over the next decade?

Panellists for the event are:

• Lord (Daniel) Finkelstein OBE (pictured), columnist, broadcaster, and member of the House of Lords
• Simon Collister, Head of Human Understanding, UNLIMITED
• Megan Mathias MBE – Chief Operating Officer, Cabinet Office, Isle of Man Governme
• Hannah Simons, Head of Sustainability, Lloyds Bank Corporate Markets
• John Webster – Chair, Manx Technology Group, and former economic adviser to the Isle of Man Government

Drawing parallels with the UK’s Invest 2035 strategy, panellists will offer thoughts on how the Isle of Man can remain competitive, compelling, resilient, and relevant in a rapidly changing world – an Island that is no longer immune to what happens globally.

Key topics to be discussed will include:

• Strengthening the Island’s competitiveness in relation to the UK and other key competitors.
• The UK-Isle of Man relationship.
• Identifying priority infrastructure and workforce investments.
• Assessing the influence of tax, technology, climate change, geopolitical shifts, and competitors on long-term economic resilience.

Steve Billinghurst, Chair, IoD Isle of Man, said: “The Isle of Man stands at a crossroads. With a General Election in September 2026, a pivotal MONEYVAL review, mounting local challenges such as skills shortages, and an increasingly unpredictable global environment – all with the potential to affect Island businesses – it is essential that we take a long-term view.

“Our event will offer a vital platform to shape the policies and strategies that will define our prosperity for the next generation.

“The panel will consider whether the Island is doing enough to innovate and leverage its strengths while preparing for inevitable disruption. From taxation and regulation to education and connectivity, no area will be off limits for discussion.”