March 13, 2026 — Douglas, Isle of Man The Isle of Man government announced on March 12 that the Island will Isle of Man to host Spring Interceltic Business Forum for the first time on Thursday, April 16, 2026, at the Villa Marina Colonnade Suite. The event, hosted by Business Isle of Man, has expanded to a larger venue due to sell-out demand for initial tickets.
The forum will gather business leaders, innovators, and policymakers from Celtic nations including the Isle of Man, Ireland, Scotland, Wales, Cornwall, Brittany, and Galicia to strengthen economic ties and explore opportunities. Key topics include AI, sustainable finance, regenerative tourism, maritime, advanced manufacturing, and community and diaspora engagement, with a spotlight on the Isle of Man’s engineering and manufacturing sector, featuring Albion Knitting Company‘s relocation from London.
Event Details
Scheduled from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., with registration at 8:30 a.m. and an evening reception from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Noa Market Hall, tickets are available via Eventbrite. The agenda features keynote speeches, panel discussions, fireside chats, and networking sessions, including sessions on AI adoption, hybrid innovation, nature’s value, maritime, and diaspora engagement.
Isle of Man to host Spring Interceltic Business Forum for the first time underscores the Island’s role in Celtic collaboration, as noted in earlier coverage by IOM Today on January 9.
Speakers and Highlights
Speakers include representatives from the Scottish Business Network, Cornwall Council, Tramshed Tech, Irish Foreign and Commonwealth Office, and Lloyds Bank International. Notable sessions feature Tomás Ó Síocháin of Údarás na Gaeltachta on AI, Cllr Leigh Frost of Cornish Council, and a showcase by Albion Knitting’s Chris Murphy and team. Opening welcomes come from Chief Minister Hon. Alf Cannan MHK, forum founder Charles Kergaravat, and Business Isle of Man CEO Kirree Gooberman.
Official Reactions
Tim Johnston MHK, Minister for Enterprise, stated:
‘The Interceltic Business Forum is an important opportunity to bring together business and policy leaders from across the Celtic nations. Hosting the Spring Forum underlines the Isle of Man’s role as a connected and collaborative place to do business, as well as a dynamic environment that encourages innovation, ideas and creativity. We are pleased to welcome delegates to the Island and to support conversations that will help shape future partnerships and practical collaboration across the Celtic world.’
Chris Murphy, Founder and CEO of Albion Knitting Company, added:
‘The Isle of Man has a long tradition of craftsmanship and entrepreneurialism… It’s also a great opportunity to showcase what manufacturing on the Isle of Man can achieve today.’
Isle of Man to host Spring Interceltic Business Forum for the first time has generated local buzz, with mentions on Manx News and social media by @ManxNewsOnline. Coverage also appears on Biosphere.im and Celtic Congress Cornwall.
The forum, founded in 2016, aligns with the Isle of Man’s Advanced Engineering and Manufacturing Strategy.