March 16, 2026 — Douglas, Isle of Man The Isle of Man hosts first Spring Interceltic Business Forum on Thursday, April 16, at the Villa Marina Colonnade Suite, uniting business leaders, innovators, and policymakers from the Isle of Man, Ireland, Scotland, Wales, Cornwall, Brittany, and Galicia. The event focuses on fostering partnerships in economic development, technology including AI, green growth such as regenerative tourism and sustainable finance, maritime industries, and advanced manufacturing.
The forum, hosted by Business Isle of Man within the Isle of Man Government’s Department for Enterprise, features keynote sessions, panel discussions, and case studies. It highlights the Isle of Man’s engineering and manufacturing strengths, including a presentation on The Albion Knitting Company’s relocation from London. A factory tour at Albion is planned for selected delegates post-event, along with an evening reception at Noa Market Hall.
Attendance is free upon registration via Eventbrite, with capacity expanded to a larger venue due to initial sell-out demand.
Key Participants and Focus
Panels include representatives from the Scottish Business Network, Cornwall Council, Tramshed Tech, Irish Foreign and Commonwealth Office, and Lloyds Bank International. Discussions cover supply chains, skills development, industrial capability, and environmental considerations in economic planning, aligned with the Isle of Man’s Advanced Engineering and Manufacturing Strategy.
The Isle of Man hosts first Spring Interceltic Business Forum as part of efforts to strengthen Celtic economic ties, building on previous events in Lorient, Cardiff, Galway, and Cornwall.
Official Quotes
“The Interceltic Business Forum is an important opportunity to bring together business and policy leaders from across the Celtic nations… 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.”
— Tim Johnston MHK, Minister for Enterprise [Business Isle of Man]
“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.”
— Chris Murphy, Founder & CEO, The Albion Knitting Company [Gov.im]
Background and Coverage
Announced on March 12, 2026, by Isle of Man Government and Business Isle of Man, the event has drawn coverage from local and regional outlets, including IOM Today and Cornwall Celtic Congress. A TechDay UK post on X highlighted the partnerships focus. The Isle of Man, a UNESCO Biosphere, positions itself as a hub for innovation and sustainability.
The Isle of Man hosts first Spring Interceltic Business Forum underscores the island’s Celtic heritage and business momentum.