Mediaboss Marketing

by Mariel Norton

The Mount Murray Hotel played host to the much anticipated annual dinner of The Isle of Man Insurance & Financial Services Institute last week, which this year celebrated its 25th anniversary in typically convivial style. The dinner marks a momentous occasion for the Institute and coincided with the centenary celebrations of the CII or Chartered Insurance Institute, a professional organisation also aimed at supporting those working in the insurance and financial services industry.

Over 240 guests, including Lt Governor Mr Adam Wood and his wife, Katie Richardson, attended the event, which was kindly sponsored by Island based corporate financial adviser MAC Group. Guests were entertained by Mrs. Christine Hamilton - famously the wife of the former British Minister for Corporate Affairs, Neil Hamilton whose humorous and stirring speech went some way to explaining why the Institutes annual dinner is the most popular event in the industrys calendar.

Tickets once again sold out several weeks in advance, which is further proof of the Institutes aim to extend its reach and increase industry solidarity and engagement in spite of a challenging international economic climate. This year, the forum again paid close attention to the requirements of its members as they continue to work in challenging times, particularly where issues such as the Retail Distribution Review begin to impact.

Jon McGowan, Managing Director of MAC Group, commented: Not only is the CII one of the most long-standing organisations within the financial services industry, their dedication to the Islands leading industry professionals has helped enhance community engagement and training to help improve working standards on the Isle of Man. Were extremely pleased to be involved with such a major event, and look forward to supporting future events that will help benefit the wider business community.

The Institute has an established history of organising and providing its members with access to CPD or Continuing Personal Development programmes and also provides a forum through which members can get advice on training and qualifications for the insurance and financial services industry. As such, the annual dinner presented guests with the ideal opportunity to both network and get up to speed on the latest industry developments in the company of their friends and colleagues. The Institutes annual raffle also raised a grand sum of 2,700, which will be donated to Wish Upon a Dream; an Island based charity established with the primary aim of granting the greatest wish to sick and terminally ill children on the Isle of Man. A portion of the proceeds will also be donated to the Insurance Charities.

The Institutes President and head-organiser, Mrs. Sharon Sutton wishes to extend her thanks to all companies who donated prizes and all those who attended what was undoubtedly a thoroughly enjoyable evening for all.

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The Isle of Man Insurance & Financial Services Institute Celebrates its 25th Anniversary

by Mike Sunier

The Isle of Man Bank Mobile banking app for the iPhone has been upgraded to include payment functionality.

Isle of Man Bank customers with iPhones can download the app which allows them to view balances, transfer money between their accounts, make payments and locate the nearest Isle of Man Bank cash point and branch. Customers are also able to view mini-statements and set limit alerts.

Since its launch in July 2011, over 9,000 customers have downloaded our iPhone app. Between August and December 2011 more than 100,000 transactions were completed using the app, with customers transferring more than 8 million.

Isle of Man Bank Managing Director Bill Shimmins commented: The Isle of Man Bank Mobile banking app has proved to be a popular service and we are pleased that customers can now make payments from their iPhone. We are committed to investing in Mobile banking and have developments planned for iPhone, Android and Blackberry later this year.

As part of the mobile banking developments, Isle of Man Bank launched a competition in January 2012 for entrants to win an iPhone 4S. Out of more than 1,500 entrants, Mrs Margaret Anne Corkill was the winner.

Customers wishing to download the iPhone app should access the App Store on their phone and search for Isle of Man Bank.

-ENDS

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Isle of Man Bank Announces Mobile Banking App and Winner of iPhone Competition

12 March 2012

The Isle of Man government has launched a consultation on draft legislation to update the regulation of 'Recognized' Collective Investment Schemes.

In the Isle of Man, 'Recognized' Schemes are schemes that are authorized under the laws of certain (designated) countries, which are of a class specified in an Order made by the Manx Financial Services Commission (FSC). The Collective Investment Schemes Act 2008 allows the FSC to make such Orders only if it is satisfied that adequate protection will be afforded to participants in the schemes covered by those Orders.

The consultation document notes that the benefit of such Orders is that they enable the 'Recognized' Schemes to be promoted to investors in the Island, so that residents of the Isle of Man can have access to a variety of investment options, including retail funds.

The existing 'Recognized' Schemes Orders that designate certain schemes in Guernsey, Jersey and the UK, were made in 1989 (Jersey and Guernsey) and 2006 (UK). However, the document points out that since then there have been changes to those other countries fund structures which means that new Orders are now required so as to keep the Isle of Mans schemes legislation in line with that of the designated countries.

The paper explains that Orders designating classes of schemes in Luxembourg and Ireland were updated in 2011, due to there being more significant changes to those countries funds structures. Smaller changes to fund structures in Guernsey, Jersey and UK during the last few years, means it has been less necessary to progress revised Orders in respect of these countries. The Commission has therefore focused its resources more recently on updating legislation where the changes required were more significant. However, it is now thought appropriate to revise the Orders that relate to Guernsey, Jersey and UK schemes.

The Draft Orders will:

The consultation exercise will remain open until March 23, 2012.

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IoM Consults On Fund Laws

by Colin Brown

England dominated the team events but had to share the main individual trophies with Wales and Scotland when the 6 Nations Junior and Cadets Table Tennis International sponsored by Isle of Man Bank - was held at the NSC over the weekend.

The event brought over 70 visiting players, coaches and officials to the Island from England, Scotland, Ireland, Wales and Guernsey. At the end of the two-day team event the awards were presented by Isle of Man Bank managing director Bill Shimmins while Deniese Smith, Area Manager for Branch Banking, did the same in relation to the individual trophies.

England swept the boards in the team event winning all four categories cadet boys and girls (under 15), and junior boys and girls (under 18). Wales finished runners-up in the junior girls contest while Scotland took second spot in the three remaining sections.

The Isle of Man teams were always going to have to battle the odds as they were up against countries with much bigger populations while, in the case of Guernsey, the Island has its own table tennis centre with a professional coach. However, there were notable performances from Ronan McDonnell in both the team and individual events of the junior competition.

Ronan opened the Islands account on the first night of the team event with a hard fought victory over the Irish number two Ryan Farrell. Ronan won the first two games, but was then pegged back to 2-2. He got off to a flying start in the decider, leading 5-1 at the changeover and clinching the point by an 11-4 margin. This put the Isle of Man into a 1-0 lead but Ireland stormed back to win the remainder for a 4-1 scoreline.

Best chance of an overall victory came in the last of the team matches when Guernsey provided the opposition. Ronan again rose to the occasion winning both his singles matches 12-10 11-7 14-12 against Alex Robinson and 11-9 in the fourth against Liam Robilliard. The Island team came agonisingly close to gaining the extra point it needed for a match win. The doubles pairing of Will Bayley and Mason McLarney lost in four after having game points in both the third and fourth legs while Mason lost one of his singles in four games, again after having game points in a leg which he lost. The end product was that Guernsey triumphed 3-2.

It was a similar story for Masons brother Hadyn in the under 15 team event. He just lost out on several occasions in five games but finally got his reward when he came back from two games down to defeat Guernseys Sam King 11-9 in the decider to get a point on the board for the Island.

The individual competition saw another battling performance from Ronan. After losing to Irelands Ryan Farrell - whom he had beaten in the team event - in the group matches he then needed to beat Scotlands Blair Fowler to qualify for the knockout stage. He did so in five games to progress to the quarter-finals where he was up against English number two Adam Harrison. Ronan had a game point in the first leg before losing it 12-10 and then lost the next two as well, but it had been good experience for the Manx senior champion who still has further years in this age group.

Roll of Honour for the weekend was as follows:

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England Dominate as Island Stages 6 Nations Table Tennis International

by DEFA

The search is on to find the very best farmers on the Isle of Man as the Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture launches the nomination process for this years award, which is again sponsored by Manx Food retailer Shoprite. There are two categories: the Tomorrows Farmers Award and the Judges Special Award for a Young Farmer. In both cases, the award recognises and rewards farmers who are committed to the future of the agricultural industry on the Island.

Nominations should be made before the 30th March 2012, giving a brief reason for the chosen nomination and describing how the farmer meets the awards selection criteria which are:

Farming efficiently and profitably Being market focused Local food promotion Diversification and Conservation

Nominations should be sent to Aud rey Fowler, Marketing Officer, DEFA, Thie Slieau Whallian, Foxdale, Isle of Man IM4 3AS or email: audrey.fowler@gov.im DEFA Minister Phil Gawne, MHK said: These awards not only aim to showcase the best farmers in the Isle of Man but provide an opportunity to share best practice, to inspire others and to let people know more about the hard work that goes into producing the quality produce that we can all enjoy every day. The award is a chance to celebrate all that is good about Manx farming and give individuals the chance to shine. We have some excellent Manx farmers so we look forward to receiving plenty of nominations. Gareth Cromie, Fresh Market Place Manager at Shoprite, commented: These awards are hugely important for the Isle of Man as they recognise quality production which Shoprite prides itself on as well as encouraging future generations of farmers on the Isle of Man. Supporting local production is hugely beneficial to the Isle of Man as it stimulates the local economy as well as providing long term sustainability and traceability in our food stock.

Last years winners were Andrew Sanders and family from Ballalough Farm, West Baldwin and Juan Hargraves, The Views Dairy Farm, Port Erin. These farmers cannot be nominated for an award this year. The judges will be: Minister Phil Gawne, MHK; Gareth Cromie from Shoprite; the SAC Agricultural Adviser; the Vice President of the Manx NFU and the President of the Royal Manx Agricultural Show. A shortlist will be selected from the entries and farms will then be visited by the judges in July. The winners will be revealed at the Award ceremony, which will take place at the Royal Manx Agricultural Show, on Friday 10th August 2012.

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If you'd like to send any information or news releases to us then please feel free to do so and we would be more than happy to consider sharing your news with the Isle of Man!

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Manx Telecom Ltd 2012

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Nominations for the 2012 Tomorrows’ Farmer Awards