March 15, 2026 — Douglas, Isle of Man The Isle of Man government announced that the 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 will unite business leaders, innovators and policymakers from the Isle of Man, Ireland, Scotland, Wales, Cornwall, Brittany and Galicia to strengthen economic connections and explore commercial opportunities.
Hosted by Business Isle of Man, the forum follows a sell-out of initial tickets, prompting an expansion to a larger venue due to strong demand. It highlights the Isle of Man’s status as the world’s first whole-nation UNESCO Biosphere and its strengths in engineering and manufacturing.
Event Details
The full-day programme at the Villa Marina, Douglas IM1 2HP, starts at 9:00 a.m. and features keynote speakers, panel discussions and case studies. Speakers include representatives from the Scottish Business Network, Cornwall Council, Tramshed Tech, the Irish Foreign and Commonwealth Office and Lloyds Bank International. Topics cover AI, regenerative tourism, maritime industries, sustainable finance, advanced manufacturing and community and diaspora engagement.
A case study will spotlight The Albion Knitting Company‘s relocation from London to the Isle of Man, aligning with the island’s Advanced Engineering and Manufacturing Strategy. Selected delegates will tour the factory afterward. The event includes an evening reception with Manx produce and live music, plus optional cultural excursions.
Key Quotes
“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.”
— Tim Johnston MHK, Minister for Enterprise (Isle of Man Government)“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.”
— Charles Kergaravat, Founder, Interceltic Business Forum (Interceltic Business Forum)“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 (Business Isle of Man)
Registration and Background
Tickets are available via Eventbrite, with limited spaces. The Isle of Man to host Spring Interceltic Business Forum for the first time builds on prior promotions, including a December 2025 LinkedIn preview noting the island’s UNESCO status. Coverage appears on sites like IT Brief UK and Channel Eye Media, emphasizing cross-Celtic collaboration in tech, green growth and trade.