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By Sharon Sutton
5
22 ratings
The podcast currently has 122 episodes available.
This week's Island Influencer is Chris Gregory, Chief Executive of Isle of Play, a charity dedicated to promoting, providing, and advocating for every child on the Isle of Man to fulfil their ‘Right to Play.’
Chris was born and raised in Newton-le-Willows, a small town situated between Wigan, Warrington, and St. Helens. Growing up in a hard-working, working-class family, he witnessed firsthand the challenges his parents faced in providing for the family. Their perseverance and dedication instilled in Chris a strong work ethic and values that have shaped his career and approach to life.
In 2006, after meeting his partner at university, who is from the Isle of Man, Chris decided to make the move to the island—a pivotal moment that set the stage for his incredible work. In this episode, we discuss everything from his recent Wallaby attack to his impressive collection of Blue Peter badges and his time studying architectural glass. However, it’s through his role as the founder of Isle of Play that Chris truly found his calling.
With the support of a dedicated team, Chris built an organisation that now provides play opportunities for over 1,000 children weekly through innovative programmes. He is passionate about giving children the freedom to play, a simple yet powerful concept that fosters creativity, community, and personal growth. His vision for a more child-friendly Isle of Man continues to inspire his efforts to enrich the lives of young people across the island.
Here is episode 119 of Island Influencers, in which Chris Gregory shares his fascinating life story and the profound impact Isle of Play has had on the local community and its children.
This week’s Island Influencer Gary Cobb, the Airport Director at Isle of Man Airport, joins me to share his life story from growing up in a small mining town, gaining a chemical engineering degree to aviation leadership, including roles at Gatwick Airport and Highlands and Islands Airport.
Gary, along with his wife and cat, has been a resident of the Isle of Man since 2022. His passion for aviation and commitment to excellence are evident in every aspect of his work.
In this episode, Gary opens up about his career path, the challenges and triumphs of airport management, and the pivotal moments that shaped his professional and personal life.
When not overseeing operations at the Isle of Man Airport, Gary immerses himself in science fiction and fantasy literature and enjoys relaxing walks. He also shares a remarkable personal story about how he narrowly missed the devastating Boxing Day tsunami in Changi. As a member of the board of Visit Isle of Man, Gary is also dedicated to promoting the island’s unique selling points, including its diverse geology and rich history.
Gary is an inspirational, enthusiastic, results-driven leader. His extensive experience and leadership in the industry make episode 117 of Island Influencers a must-listen.
Thank you for joining us on this week's episode of Island Influencers. I hope you enjoyed hearing Gary Cobb's story and insights into the aviation industry. If you found this episode inspiring, please share it with your friends and leave us a review.
This week, I am thrilled to introduce Island Influencer Catherine (Cath) Robertshaw, Chief Operating Officer, Eyesea, a nonprofit organisation with a mission to map global pollution and maritime hazards.
Born in Wales (yes, she's a big rugby fan!) Cath grew up in South Africa, where her love for the ocean and beaches blossomed. After returning to the UK for her studies and teacher training, she embarked on an incredible journey to Asia. There, she spent years working, teaching, and raising her three boys in the vibrant cities of Shanghai and Singapore.
We delve into her personal experiences and emotions on returning to the Isle of Man (for the second time) after 15 years in Singapore. We explore Cath and her team's pioneering efforts with the Eyesea app, harnessing technology to monitor and reduce marine and land pollution.
Listen to the end to hear all about Cath’s favourite trip ever story. Let’s just say she is a lifesaver in more ways than one!
Here is Cath Robertshaw in episode 114 of Island Influencers.
Welcome to episode 112 of Island Influencers. I'm honoured to introduce this week's Island Influencer, Derry Kissack, BEM.
Derry is known to thousands, especially as a key member/frontman of the world-famous Purple Helmets motorcycle display team. Many of you will recognise him as the energetic commentator who guides awe-struck spectators through their breathtaking performances. He is a favourite at the TT and shows worldwide.
You'll immediately notice from his accent that Derry was born and raised here in the Isle of Man. In our conversation, Derry opens up about his life experiences, sharing his childhood memories, education, and profound passion for motorcycles. We also delve into the development of the Isle of Man TT's pit lane and discuss the crucial role of supporting local businesses and individuals who contribute to the island's vibrant tourism industry.
Derry's journey hasn't been without hardship. He lost both his parents by the age of 24, and he reveals how a motorbike accident led him to write his first book!
Despite his challenges, Derry's wonderful sense of humour, spirit and resilience shine through, especially in the fascinating story of how the Purple Helmets were formed (he proudly takes credit for getting them into show business!). He even shares some exclusive tales for you, our Island Influencers listeners.
This episode is packed with great yarns and unforgettable moments I hadn't heard before.
Here's episode 112 - the incredible life and adventures of Derry Kissack BEM.
In this latest episode, I'm excited to welcome Island Influencer Carol Ann Kinley-Smith, an extraordinary force in criminology, forensic science, and investigative security.
Carol Ann is committed to leveraging her diverse experiences to enrich society. She brings a wealth of expertise from her extensive career, operating at the highest levels in both investigative and intelligence capacities.
Originally from the Isle of Man, Carol Ann returned from the UK in 2021 after a distinguished career that included heading Corporate Security and Investigations at the BBC and leading the Royalty Protection Command Team within the Metropolitan Police Service. Her roles have ranged from safeguarding the British Royal Family to spearheading teams assessing threats to high-profile figures.
Currently, Carol Ann shares her wealth of knowledge as a lecturer at University College, where she teaches Forensic Science and Criminology. Her dedication to empowering students with industry insights promises to inspire future generations of professionals.
Carol Ann's academic achievements are remarkable, especially as she admits she wasn't academically inclined during her school years. She earned a Distinction in an MSc in Legal and Criminological Psychology from Cumbria University. Her dissertation, which has recently been published and focuses on the experiences of policewomen navigating menopause, underscores her strong advocacy for women's support and resilience in demanding professional settings.
Here is episode 111 with Island Influencer with Carol Ann Kinley-Smith.
In this latest episode of Island Influencers, I delve into Sarah Mercer, co-founder of Earthscope’s remarkable story.
Originally from Liverpool, Sarah moved to the Isle of Man at age two, shaping her childhood along the island's shores and landscapes. Her academic pursuits in Physical Geography at Durham University sparked a deep interest in environmental issues, leading her to co-found Footprint, an annual environmental summit.
Returning to the Isle of Man, Sarah immersed herself in projects like 'Island Utopias', a lockdown documentary capturing community spirit, and 'Manannan's Charms', an app blending folklore with nature. All while living off-grid, making the film entirely using solar power.
She collaborated with the Isle of Play to engage children with nature. She explored sustainable practices across Europe with AimHi Earth, presenting alongside notable figures and partnering with impactful organisations globally.
Sarah's dedication culminated in co-founding Earthscope, driving carbon literacy initiatives, and advocating for sustainable practices.
She is an advocate, nature lover, filmmaker, and sustainability facilitator. Her journey is one of passion, purpose, and a relentless dedication to creating a more sustainable and harmonious world for all.
Here is episode 110 with Sharon Sutton in conversation with Island Influencer Sarah Mercer, co-founder of Earthscope.
The podcast currently has 122 episodes available.