THE Economic Development Minister has congratulated the Isle of Man Aerospace Cluster calling it the "most forward thinking in the British Isles".

Allan Bell MHK commented after the cluster won the Freedom to Flourish Award at the Isle of Man Newspapers' Awards for Excellence.

He said: "The Isle of Man Aerospace Cluster supports every current major civil and defence aerospace project in Europe and the USA today.

"Their success has been underpinned by the values of Freedom to Flourish - resilience, resourcefulness, independent-thinking and community loyalty. They can truly be described as one of the most forward-thinking and agile aerospace clusters in the British Isles so this award is richly deserved."

IOM Aerospace Cluster brings together 16 different companies which account for two thirds of the 1,200 engineering jobs in the Isle of Man.

Clare Christian MLC, Department Member with responsibility for manufacturing, said: "I would like to add my congratulations to the Isle of Man Aerospace Cluster on winning this prestigious award.

 
"I have met with many of the cluster members and I know how effective the working relationship between Adrian Moore of DED and the cluster manufacturers has been in helping drive their businesses forward."

Photograph by Bill Dale - www.isleofmanphotos.com