Isle of Man Appoints New Head Of International Services

by Amanda Banks, Tax-News.com, London

12 November 2002

The Isle of Man Online news service reported this week that the government post of Head of International Services, recently vacated by Michael Gates, has been filled by Jane Dellar, formerly the centre manager at BPP Offshore's Manx branch.

The responsibilities of the International Services department include supporting the jurisdiction's businesses, identifying marketing opportunities, raising awareness, and improving the international perception of the Island.

Speaking to reporters, Ms Dellar explained that although she felt it a little premature to outline concrete plans so soon after having assumed the senior Treasury position, her first priority will be to obtain feedback from local businesses, as to the types of support and promotion they feel are necessary.

According to the IoM Online, she also stressed the importance for the business community of focusing on the Isle of Man's strengths:

'We have a sensible regulatory environment. I think we need to push the advantages that we have to offer. We have to keep that message going out whatever we face,' she explained, continuing: 'The government has proved itself to be very good at reacting quickly and we have sound legislation in place. On that basis I think we are in a very good position.'

The new International Services chief also suggested that the jurisdiction could look more towards the City of London in its endeavours to secure new business, reasoning that:

'If you work on the basis that about a third of the world's wealth is offshore, well there's two-thirds that isn't, and with 25% of the world's wealth going through London our efforts might well be heading in that direction.'

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