Interceltic Business Forum Isle Of Man

Interceltic Business Forum, Isle of Man: Join business leaders from Celtic nations for networking and discussion on 16 April 2026.

The Interceltic Business Forum is coming to Douglas, Isle of Man, on Thursday 16 April 2026. This event brings together business leaders, entrepreneurs, and innovators from across the Celtic nations for a day dedicated to collaboration, learning, and networking.

Hosted by Business Isle of Man, the forum builds on the Island’s reputation as a hub for innovation and sustainability. Delegates will have the opportunity to engage in meaningful discussions, forge new partnerships, and explore the unique business landscape of the Isle of Man.

What to expect:

• Keynote speakers and panels: Hear from leading voices in maritime, sustainable finance, regenerative tourism, manufacturing, and more.
• Strategic networking: Connect with decision-makers, investors, and entrepreneurs from across the Celtic nations.
• Evening reception & excursions: Experience Manx culture and hospitality with hosted activities for visiting delegates.
• Location: Villa Marina, Douglas IM1 2HP.

For those visiting from off-Island who choose to stay on for Friday, we will be organising additional activities to further showcase the Isle of Man and provide more opportunities for networking and cultural experiences. We have also prepared a helpful guide on how to get to the Isle of Man.

AGENDA

08:30 AM – 09:00 AM

Registration & networking

Refreshments provided

09:00 AM – 09:15 AM

Welcome

Hon. Alf Cannan MHK, Chief Minister
Charles Kergaravat, Founder Interceltic Business Forum
Kirree Gooberman, CEO Business Isle of Man

09:15 AM – 09:30 AM

Fireside chat on diaspora and Cornwall as Honoured Nation at Festival Interceltique de Lorient 2026

Cllr Leigh Frost, Leader of the Cornish Council hosted by Charles Kergaravat

09:30 AM – 10:15 AM

AI adoption in a multilingual world

Tomás Ó Síocháin , CEO at Údarás na Gaeltachta

The blueprint for scaling AI Support

Declan Ivory, VP Customer Support, Intercom

10:15 AM – 10:30 AM

Where campus meets corporate-a new era of hybrid innovation

Hosted by Harry O’Rahilly, Head of Prosperity & Economy at Foreign and Commonwealth Office, Ireland
Liam Cronin, Director of Innovation UCD
Mark John, Co-Founder and Shareholder at Tramsheds Tech Ltd.

10:30 AM – 11:00 AM

Refreshments & networking

Refreshments provided

11:00 AM – 12:00 PM

Tourism with purpose

12:00 PM – 01:30 PM

Lunch & networking

Lunch is provided

01:30 PM – 02:25 PM

The value of nature

Matt Smith, CEO Hometree

Graham Makepeace-Warner, CEO Manx Wildlife Trust

Alan Costello, Chair of Board of Directors for Natural Capital Ireland

Nigel Cheesley, Country Head, Isle of Man & Director, Sustainability at Lloyds Bank International

Fireside chat with Awaken Angels, Ireland’s first and only-female led investment community

Mary McKenna, Co-Founder & Chair, Awaken Angels and Charles Kergaravat

02:25 PM – 02:45 PM

Fireside chat: The State of Maritime

02:45 PM – 03:30 PM

Engineering and Manufacturing in the Isle of Man

Colin Moughton, Founder & Principal Consultant, Insight Innovation

Business Showcase – The Albion Knitting Co. Ltd

Jamie O’Neill, Managing Director Albion
Chris Murphy, CEO Albion
Maddison Smith, Brand Marketing Manager Albion

03:30 PM – 04:00 PM

Refreshments & networking

04:00 PM – 04:30 PM

How Ireland interacts and engages with its diaspora

Aisling Moroney, Policy Analyst, Western Development Commission

How to maximize your Celtic Diaspora?

Hosted by Charles Kergaravat
Nicola Lloyd, founder of Global Cornish
Allan Mulrooney CEO Western Development Commission
Scott Dalgleish, Scottish Business Network

04:30 PM – 04:45 PM

Interceltic Business Forum update from Founder Charles Kergaravat

04:45 PM – 05:00 PM

Closing Statements

TBC

05:30 PM – 08:00 PM

Evening Reception – Noa Market Hall, Market Hill, Douglas IM1 2BH

Invite only event for attendees of the Interceltic Business Forum, details to be shared soon.

Whether you’re looking to expand your network, discover new opportunities, or gain insights into the latest trends, the Interceltic Business Forum offers a unique platform to advance Celtic business connections.