Island Influencers

Steve grew up in Glasgow; he had a keen interest in pharmacy so he studied it at university. Whilst studying, he admits, he was distracted by politics. Becoming a chairman of the Scottish Young Liberals and even standing for the general election as a Liberal candidate.

Following his time at university, Steve managed a pharmacy in Bermuda and made many Manx friends while he was there who spoke highly of the Isle of Man. When his time in Bermuda was ending, he took a "bit of a gamble" and applied for a pharmacist job in Laxey, Isle of Man. Steve got the role and also bought the business! He and his family were then naturally embedded into the heart of the community.

On arrival, Steve had no intention of getting involved in Manx politics. Steve explains how 'Operation Clean Sweep', a 1994 government campaign led him into the Laxey Commissioners, how he became the president of Tynwald and he highlights how honoured he was to receive an OBE for service to the Isle of Man!

In this episode, Steve shares his greatest achievements within politics and at home. Explaining, although he has retired, he is just as busy as ever, but the difference being, he is only as busy as he wants to be!

Here's this week's conversation with Steve Rodan in episode 61 of Island Influencers.

This week's Island Influencer is Sarah Comish, the newly appointed General Secretary of the Manx National Farmers Union.

Sarah talks to me about life growing up on her family's farm on the Isle of Man, her love of art, horses, walking, and Elizabeth Taylor! She explains how travelling extensively around India changed her life, encouraging her to be "more confident and less cautious."

Sarah shares stories of her ten years in the film industry within the set dressing and props department. Her favourite film to work on was 'Waking Ned' featuring her cousin's pony!

Returning to the island when her Mum sadly passed away she decided to stay. Sarah has since raised a family whilst juggling several jobs including being One World Charity Challenge Project Officer, Secretary at IOM Southern District Agricultural Society running the Agricultural show, whilst also being on the local planning committee.

This episode provides a great insight into the agricultural and farming world and Sarah's commitment and passion for sustainable development, and how that affects all of our futures.

Here's this week's conversation with Sarah Comish in episode 60 of Island Influencers.

At 16 years old, Jo Overty lived independently, working nights in a print factory to pay bedsit rent and support herself through sixth form.

After a couple of years working at an estate agent and a bank in Leicester, she followed her vocation and trained to be a journalist in Sheffield and benefited from tuition from national and regional newspaper editors. Winning the Esso Northern Young Journalist of the Year was a massive encouragement for this young reporter.

The sunny April of 1988 a journalist placement lured her to the Isle of Man, and a job offer at the end of it (coupled with her instant love for the island) and the community meant she stayed.

Then in 2006, she joined the Isle of Man Government initially in education in a diverse role (communications, events and new project management); then Cabinet Office, at the very heart of Government, in the communications team.

For the past three years Jo has been the project officer for the UNESCO Biosphere Isle of Man. She oversaw the creation of the first 'local' strategy, complementing the three global aims and ambitions of Biospheres benefiting the Island's economy, environment and community. In 2020 she gained an intensive qualification in Biosphere Management.

Jo demonstrates amazing resilience, is a Test cricket and football fan, keen amateur photographer, music lover and Radio 4 addict!

Here's this week's conversation with Jo Overty in episode 59 of Island Influencers.

From BMX, to mountain biking, to road cycling, my guest today is Manx Professional Cyclist Tom Mazzone.

Fresh from racing in The Tour Series last week, Tom joined me to chat about his professional cycling career with SAINT PIRAN, Cornwall's First Elite Cycling Team.

Tom explains how he got into cycling and found an elite team to join, some of the challenges he needed to overcome in his career to date, and his big goal for next year.

Here's this week's conversation with Tom Mazzone in episode 58 of Island Influencers.

My Island Influencer this week is Sarah Corlett, owner of Sarah Corlett Town Planning Consultancy Ltd.

After recently retiring from the Isle of Man Government as a Principal Planner, Sarah has established her own Town Planning Consultancy practice.

Having been involved in literally thousands of development proposals - big and small - during her time as a planning officer with the Isle of Man Government, Sarah fully understands how a potential development can affect the quality of life of those around it.

Sarah offers town planning advice on all aspects of planning on the Isle of Man. She believes in providing honest, professional advice - always.

Sarah is the first female Chairman of the Isle of Man Badminton Association and the first female Chairman of Isle of Man Sport.

Here's this week's conversation with Sarah Corlett in episode 57 of Island Influencers.

David Doricott grew up in Blackburn with a great love of the outdoors. In 1976 David read Forestry at Bangor University and during his degree course, he discovered an unexpected understanding and interest in computing. This led (after about seven years in Forestry and Horticultural management) to David in the early 80s, starting a computer business in Scotland called AFD Software Ltd.

Then, in 1997, David moved the business to the Isle of Man. In 2015 David adopted the derelict Island Film Studios site in Lezayre. A stunning rural location, with views of the famous Mountain Course. David has pioneered the 25-acre site as a multi-use technology park, known as Mountain View Innovation Centre (MVIC), one of the most resilient technology parks in the world.

MVIC houses a vast community – including a vibrant bistro, multiple small and start-up businesses, the most significant events space on the Isle of Man and even a kindergarten.

The MVIC renewable energy project has meant that the site is entirely self-sufficient in using Solar Energy from April to October each year. During which time, it is a net exporter of power to the Manx Grid, whilst also the principal charging source for the company's fleet of 14 electric vehicles.

David and his team at AFD have flourished a core, long-held objective "to generate profits, and to use them creatively in the relief of suffering, the improvement of society and furtherance of the Christian gospel."

The business has been able (through the nominations of its staff members) to provide millions of pounds in funding for a wide range of relief and development work throughout the world.

Here's this week's conversation with David Doricott in episode 56 of Island Influencers.

Chris Quine set the Isle of Man 1500m record at the age of 20 and has been able to take part in nine Island Games.

Prior to retiring in April this year, Chris Quine was Sports Performance Coordinator at Isle of Man Sport Aid. Prior to that he worked for Zurich International (formerly Eagle Star) for 10 years.

The Isle of Man Sport provides the Island's high performing athletes with the support, training and facilities necessary to realise their full potential.

In 2009 they opened a purpose-built facility - Isle of Man Sport Institute - at the National Sports Centre. Chris oversaw the launch of the Isle of Man Sport Aid Academy (13-16 year olds) which is an innovative educational programme for around 60 athletes from 12 sports, supported with private sector funding.

Chris has had the opportunity and privilege to work with many of the best sportsmen and women that the Isle of Man has produced through to World and Olympic champions.

Here's this week's conversation with Chris Quine in episode 55 of Island Influencers.

My guest this week, Laura Cretney, has pursued an academic and professional career specialising in Middle East politics and culture. She has lived, studied and worked in the Arabian Gulf and speaks Arabic, Spanish and French.

Laura is the Director and MENA Consultant at Al Ishara Consulting, an Isle of Man-based consultancy offering insight and expertise for organisations working in the Middle East and North Africa. Providing bespoke political and cultural advice, project management and support, due diligence research and translation to organisations with projects or clients in the region, particularly in the field of international development.

She is also CEO of Pink Jinn, a socially conscious lifestyle brand inspired by the Middle East and North Africa, promoting cross-cultural interaction and supporting small businesses, victims of conflict and vulnerable women in the region.

Laura is a passionate traveller who believes that active learning and cross-cultural interaction will make the world a better place.

Here is this week's conversation with Laura Cretney in episode 54 of Island Influencers.

Dr Chloë Woolley was brought up in Maughold and attended the Dhoon School and Ramsey Grammar School. She studied piano, singing and played violin in the Manx Youth Orchestra.

Chloë has a BMus in Composition and Performance from the University of Huddersfield and an MMus in Composition and Ethnomusicology from the University of Edinburgh. Chloe went on to study for a PhD at the School of Scottish Studies in Edinburgh and graduated in 2004 with her thesis, 'The Revival of Manx Traditional Music: From the 1970s to the Present Day'.

Chloë returned to the Island in 2004 to take up the position with Culture Vannin.

As Manx Music Development Officer, Chloë Woolley works to promote and support Manx music within the community and the Island's schools by providing information and resources, organising events and by leading workshops.

She works with classroom teachers, peripatetic instrumental teachers, extra-curricular groups, the Youth Service, and the general public to encourage a greater awareness of Manx music and culture within the Island and beyond.

As well as running the extracurricular Bree youth movement, she helps organise the annual Manx Folk Awards and Yn Chruinnaght inter-Celtic festival. Chloë is also a Trustee of the Soundcheck charity.

Here's this week's conversation with Dr Chloë Woolley in episode 53 of Island Influencers.

This week's Island influencer Katie Nicholson (MBA), Director and Co-Founder of Founded Limited, was born on the island but then spent her early childhood in Cyprus. Her family circumstances changed, so she returned to the Isle of Man when she was nine years old.

Katie has over 12 years of professional business development, marketing, and management experience, gained from working in digital and early-stage investment industries.

In 2019, using her wealth of experience, Katie decided to go it alone and then Covid-19 hit. Nevertheless, her enthusiasm, dedication and drive kept her going, and she set up Founded.

Katie and her closely integrated team help pave the way for a new generation of startup founders with information, inspiration and opportunity to start, grow or sustain big ventures. She is an enthusiastic, dedicated and driven self-starter.

Founded provides general business consultancy, finance, marketing, mentoring, and fundraising services. They also host regular events to bring our communities closer, creating a platform for startups, scale-ups and investors to connect on common ground.

Here's this week's conversation with Katie Nicholson in episode 52 of Island Influencers.