The agenda for this year’s Isle of Man Maritime Conference 2026 is currently taking shape and it’s already brimming with exciting content, expert speakers, and thought-provoking sessions.

We’re working closely with industry leaders and innovators to curate a programme that reflects the latest trends, challenges, and opportunities across the maritime sector. From insightful keynotes to engaging panel discussions, the day is being designed to inform, inspire, and spark meaningful conversations.

While final details are still being confirmed, the agenda you see below offers a snapshot of what’s to come — a strong indication of the calibre and variety you can expect on the day. As we continue to refine and enhance the programme, updates will follow, making this an event that continues to build in value and anticipation.

We are pleased to announce that opening remarks at this year’s Isle of Man Maritime Conference 2026 will be delivered by the Isle of Man Chief Minister, Hon. Alfred Cannan MHK

As Chief Minister of the Isle of Man, Mr. Cannan will formally open the conference, welcoming delegates and marking the beginning of a full day dedicated to maritime industry insight, discussion, and connection.

His presence at the opening of the event reflects the importance of the maritime sector to the Island and sets the stage for what promises to be a highly engaging and valuable conference.

We are pleased to confirm that closing remarks at this year’s Isle of Man Maritime Conference 2026 will be delivered by the Minister for the Department for Enterprise, Hon. Tim Johnston MHK.

As the conference draws to a close, the Minister will bring together the key themes and conversations from across the day, offering final reflections before formally concluding proceedings.

Gina Panayiotou is the Founder & CEO of Oceans Arena, a sustainability and stakeholder engagement consultancy, positioning organisations, industry leaders and founders as thought leaders for change.

A maritime lawyer turned and award-winning strategist, Gina has been a keynote and expert speaker at 60+ events globally – including UNCTAD, IMO, COP & Davos – on impact leadership, maritime affairs, sustainability & women empowerment. 

With 15+ years of experience she has worked with organisations such as the IMO, the office of the Greek Prime Minister’s Special Envoy for the Ocean, held senior roles within shipowning organisations and has been featured in “Top Maritime Influencers you should follow,” Top 100 Women in Shipping for 7 consecutive years & 2x Seatrade 20under40. 

Additionally, she is a WISTA UK Board Member, Philanthropy Advocate for the National Oceanography Centre (NOC) and Seatrade Maritime Club UK Ambassador and has been a Guest Lecturer at the IMO International Maritime Law Institute (IMLI), Queen Mary’s University London Law School and King’s College London.

Jason Bissell is Chair of UNESCO Biosphere Isle of Man, a board member of Digital Isle of Man, and a recognised leader in the global data and AI industry. With more than 25 years of leadership experience, he has helped governments and enterprises design and execute transformational data and AI strategies.

Jason spent 12 years in Singapore as CEO and SVP for companies including Databricks, Talend, Birst, and QlikTech, where he founded and scaled go-to-market teams across Asia Pacific and Japan. Earlier, he led the founding UK team for QlikTech and held senior roles at Business Objects (SAP).

An investor and advisor, Jason has a particular interest in the human relationship with AI, advocating for AI safety-first principles and exploring how culture and performance can be responsibly enhanced through data-driven platforms.

Stuart is a highly experienced and well-regarded business leader, with a background spanning multinational companies and international charities. He built a successful career at Ericsson, progressing from Support Centre Manager to Global Commercial Director.

He later joined The Salvation Army, where – after two years of residential training – he spent five years in church and community leadership roles. More recently, Stuart served as Chief Executive Officer of Sailors’ Society for more than six years, where he led a global programme supporting the welfare of seafarers and their families.

He has also supported MNWB as a consultant, focusing on technology projects that help establish welfare boards under the auspices of the ILO Maritime Labour Convention, 2006. He became Chief Executive Officer in December 2021, leading a small but hard-working team, alongside being a trustee of the Naval and Military Bible Society, a role he has served for nearly a decade.

The panel sessions for this year’s Isle of Man Maritime Conference 2026 are currently being finalised, with a dynamic and diverse programme taking shape.

We are curating engaging discussions that will bring together voices from across the maritime sector to explore key themes, challenges, and opportunities shaping the industry today and into the future.

Further details on panel topics and participants will be announced soon, so please check back regularly for updates — there is plenty more to come.

New for this year’s Isle of Man Maritime Conference, we’re introducing a series of informal Fireside Chats designed to bring delegates closer to the people shaping the future of the maritime industry.

These relaxed and engaging conversations will offer a unique opportunity to hear personal insights, experiences, and perspectives from industry leaders, innovators, policymakers, and maritime professionals. Moving beyond traditional presentations, the Fireside Chat format encourages open discussion, candid reflections, and meaningful dialogue on the topics that matter most to our sector.

Whether exploring emerging trends, leadership journeys, industry challenges, or future opportunities, these sessions aim to spark conversation and provide valuable takeaways for delegates at every stage of their maritime career.

We’ll be announcing our Fireside Chat participants and discussion topics in the coming weeks, so be sure to check back regularly for updates.

Watch this space for more information on speakers, guests, and session themes.