March 14, 2026 — Douglas, Isle of Man The Isle of Man Government announced on March 12 that the island will host the Spring Interceltic Business Forum for the first time on April 16 at the Villa Marina’s Royal Albert Hall, gathering business leaders, innovators and policymakers from Celtic nations including Ireland, Scotland, Wales, Cornwall, Brittany and Galicia to strengthen economic ties.
The event, hosted by Business Isle of Man, expanded to a larger venue after initial tickets sold out, reflecting strong demand for cross-Celtic collaboration. It underscores the Isle of Man’s position as a hub for innovation and manufacturing, aligned with its Advanced Engineering and Manufacturing Strategy.
Event Details
Registration is available via Eventbrite, with a full agenda including keynote speakers, panel discussions and case studies. The forum spotlights the Isle of Man’s strengths, including a visit to The Albion Knitting Company factory for select delegates.
Key Themes and Speakers
Discussions will cover AI, regenerative tourism, maritime sectors, sustainable finance, advanced manufacturing and community/diaspora engagement. Speakers include representatives from the Scottish Business Network, Cornwall Council, Tramshed Tech, the Irish Foreign and Commonwealth Office and Lloyds Bank International.
Official Statements
Tim Johnston MHK, Minister for Enterprise, said:
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 The Albion Knitting Company, added:
The Isle of Man has a long tradition of craftsmanship and entrepreneurialism, and that’s exactly why Albion chose to invest here… It’s also a great opportunity to showcase what manufacturing on the Isle of Man can achieve today.
This Isle of Man to host Spring Interceltic Business Forum for the first time initiative highlights ongoing efforts to foster Celtic economic partnerships, as covered by local outlets like Manx.News.