March 12, 2026 — Douglas, Isle of Man – The Isle of Man to host Spring Interceltic Business Forum for the first time, bringing together business leaders, innovators and policymakers from the Isle of Man, Ireland, Scotland, Wales, Cornwall, Brittany and Galicia for a day of economic collaboration on April 16 at the Villa Marina.
Organized by Business Isle of Man, the event sold out its initial tickets and expanded to a larger venue at the Royal Hall to meet demand, according to coverage from IT Brief UK. The forum aims to strengthen economic connections across Celtic regions through keynotes, panels and case studies.
Event Details
The full-day programme at the Villa Marina Colonnade Suite, Douglas, includes discussions on major opportunities for the Celtic economy. Following the announcement, registration remains open via Eventbrite with limited spaces. An evening reception at Noa Market Hall will feature Manx produce, hospitality and live music from local group Scran, with optional next-day excursions.
The Isle of Man, the world’s first whole-nation UNESCO Biosphere, positions itself as a hub for innovation. Previous forums have been held in Lorient, Cardiff, Galway and Cornwall, as noted by Celtic Congress Cornwall.
Key Topics and Highlights
Sessions will cover AI, sustainable finance, advanced manufacturing, maritime sectors, regenerative tourism and community/diaspora engagement. A spotlight falls on the Isle of Man’s Advanced Engineering and Manufacturing Strategy, featuring the relocation of Albion Knitting Company from London. Selected delegates will tour the factory post-event to observe its luxury knitwear production.
Speakers include representatives from the Scottish Business Network, Cornwall Council, Tramshed Tech, the Irish Foreign and Commonwealth Office and Lloyds Bank International.
Official Statements
“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.”
— Tim Johnston MHK, Minister for Enterprise
“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.”
— Chris Murphy, Founder & CEO, The Albion Knitting Company
Charles Kergaravat, forum founder, added: “We’re incredibly excited to bring the Interceltic Business Forum to the Isle of Man for the first time—not only to build deeper connections with another Celtic region, but to showcase the impressive innovation and momentum emerging from the island.”
The announcement has garnered attention from local and regional media, including Biosphere Isle of Man and Interceltic Business Forum.