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 Institute’s annual dinner is the most popular event in the industry’s calendar.
Tickets once again sold out several weeks in advance, which is further proof of the Institute’s 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 Island’s leading industry professionals has helped enhance community engagement and training to help improve working standards on the Isle of Man. We’re 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 Institute’s 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 Institute’s 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.
