March 12, 2026 — Douglas, Isle of Man Business Isle of Man announced the Isle of Man to host Spring Interceltic Business Forum for the first time on Thursday, April 16, at the Villa Marina. The event aims to strengthen economic connections among Celtic nations including the Isle of Man, Ireland, Scotland, Wales, Cornwall, Brittany, and Galicia.
The full-day forum, running from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., will feature keynote speakers, panel discussions, and case studies on topics such as AI adoption, regenerative tourism, maritime sectors, sustainable finance, advanced manufacturing, and diaspora engagement. It highlights the Isle of Man’s strengths in engineering and manufacturing, in line with its Advanced Engineering and Manufacturing Strategy.
Key Participants and Speakers
Business leaders, innovators, and policymakers from Celtic regions will attend. Confirmed speakers include representatives from the Scottish Business Network, Cornwall Council, Tramshed Tech, the Irish Foreign and Commonwealth Office, and Lloyds Bank International. A spotlight will be on The Albion Knitting Company, which relocated from London to the Isle of Man, with select delegates visiting the factory afterward.
The Isle of Man to host Spring Interceltic Business Forum for the first time underscores the island’s role as an innovation hub, as noted in coverage by Business Isle of Man and local outlets.
Official Statements
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.
Chris Murphy, Founder and CEO of The 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.
Registration and Coverage
Registration is available via Eventbrite, where few free tickets remain. The announcement has been shared widely, including by Celtic Congress Cornwall and local media such as IOM Today and Manx News.
This marks a milestone as the Isle of Man to host Spring Interceltic Business Forum for the first time, building on earlier previews from January 2026.