Arts Aid Appoints New Director

Arts Aid - the Manx charity is pleased to announce the appointment of Pippa Salter as a Trustee and Director.

A well-known dance teacher in the Island, and founder and principal of The Academy of Dance and Mannin Youth Dance Company, Pippa moved to the Isle of Man with her family in 2000.

Originally from Zimbabwe and then South Africa, she has worked with Hospice Isle of Man on the fundraising side for the past two years.

Pippa said of her appointment: “I am absolutely delighted to be joining the Board of Arts Aid. Most of my professional life has been dedicated to training and supporting young people through their education and careers in dance. The level of talent we have on the Island always astonishes me and I feel strongly that it is our responsibility as a community to ensure their talents are supported and guided by having access to further professional training off Island which allows them to fulfil their potential.

IFGL appoints Greg Watson as Chief Technology Officer

Greg Watson has joined IFGL in the newly created role of Chief Technology Officer (CTO) – a role that will also have a seat on the IFGL Executive Committee.

Greg has 30 years’ IT experience within international financial services. In his previous role, Greg was the CTO at Sainsbury’s Bank, based in Edinburgh. Prior to that, he spent 24 years with Standard Life, including spells leading the Technology Architecture team in Standard Life’s Canadian operation in Montreal and as Chief Architect of SL’s German business.

Greg is looking forward to new challenges at IFGL. ‘I was attracted to the international nature of the IFGL business and the Group’s consistent and ambitious strategy to grow. I believe Technology should be central to supporting an organisation achieve its aspirations. Putting a CTO on the Executive team is a really progressive move and sends a clear signal that Technology is at the heart of the business.’

IFGL CEO David Kneeshaw said: ‘I am delighted to welcome Greg to IFGL. At our heart, we are a relationship business and key to that is providing the highest quality of service. Harnessing helpful and relevant technology will help us revolutionise how we provide support and information to our customers.’

Gary lamb announced as new chairman of motiv8

Motiv8, the local charity dedicated to supporting those affected by addictive behaviours, is pleased to announce the appointment of Gary Lamb as Chairman.

Mr Lamb, who is also CEO of Manx Telecom and Chairman of Strix Group plc, replaces Christopher Mitchell, who is retiring from the position of Chairman although he will remain on the Board as a trustee.

Motiv8 has been caring for those affected by substance and gambling issues on the Isle of Man since 1978. Its aim is to minimise the harm associated with drug, alcohol and gambling/gaming problems, not just for those directly affected but for their families, friends and the whole community. It offers free and confidential counselling to provide steppingstones to recovery through a range of therapies and support services.

Mr Lamb said: “I am looking forward to helping the team to increase the profile of Motiv8 and ensure that it can continue to provide and enhance its much needed services in our community. This is something that is even more pressing at the present time when the cost of living crisis is creating extra pressure on many households and additional stress for those who are impacted by addiction and those around them.” www.Motiv8.im

Fiona McArdle awarded the Isle of Man’s highest cultural honour

The Reih Bleeaney Vanannan 2023 has been awarded to Fiona McArdle for her lifelong commitment to and continued involvement in so many facets of Manx culture.

There is hardly a sphere of cultural life that hasn’t been touched by Fiona’s passion, time and expertise – from Manx language, music and dance, to history and heritage, festival and society committees, community activities, and radio presenting. She has represented the Isle of Man internationally at festivals and conferences, and is a wonderful and knowledgeable ambassador for everything Manx.

The Reih Bleeaney Vanannan or Manannan’s Choice of the Year is the Isle of Man’s highest cultural honour, awarded by Culture Vannin, and decided by a selection panel which is made up of representatives from Yn Cheshaght Ghailckagh, Yn Chruinnaght, Manx National Heritage, IOM Arts Council and Culture Vannin itself.

The presentation was made in the Millennium Room in the Tynwald Buildings.

Words: Helen Barrett

Changing careers is difficult, lonely, daunting and expensive.

I should know: after a decade in advertising, I switched to journalism in my mid thirties, which not only meant starting at the bottom (one editor helpfully pointed out that I was “the oldest intern ever”) but also halved my pay. It took me four years to catch up.