Challenging times ahead there may be but business advisory firm Deloitte has a fundamental role to play in making the Isle of Man market successful into the future. This was the upbeat message delivered by Sarah Sanders, partner in charge of the Isle of Man office, to more than 80 guests at a celebration hosted by the firm’s offshore partners to recognise her promotion to a UK equity partner. “We are currently living and working in challenging times but I am still looking forward to the future with a great deal of enthusiasm,” she declared. “We have an extremely talented team of people here in Deloitte in the Isle of Man, the majority of whom have been trained with us locally and are committed to living and working on the Island.” She added: “We are able to deliver seamless, specialist services into the Island using integrated IOM/UK teams. I believe that we have a unique operating model which will serve the Isle of Man marketplace well as we, in our individual businesses, look for new opportunities in the challenging times ahead.” Mrs Sanders, 38, who joined the firm’s Douglas-based office in 1995, is the first locally trained person to become a partner in the UK firm. Rick Garrard, partner in charge of Deloitte in the UK offshore Islands, described Mrs Sanders as a “huge breath of fresh air for Deloitte and the Isle of Man”. He added: “Sarah’s promotion demonstrates the firm’s confidence in her and the long-term commitment Deloitte has made to the future success of the Isle of Man.” Looking at the economy of the Island, Mr Garrard said: “There will, of course, always be changes as markets evolve and new opportunities are created and here at Deloitte we continue to believe there is a good, long-term future for the Isle of Man. We can and do offer through the services we provide a broader spectrum of opportunity for the Island.” Ends