2026 Annual Gala Dinner | CEO’s Speech

Good evening everyone.

Your Excellency, Ladies and Gentlemen,

It is my absolute pleasure to welcome you all to Peel Cathedral for what I know will be a truly special evening. We are delighted to be gathered in this wonderful setting for a remarkable occasion.

I want to begin by thanking those who have made tonight possible.

We are grateful to have Orsted as our headline supporter this evening, and we thank them sincerely for being part of tonight.

To the London Institute of Business and Technology, thank you for hosting our welcome drinks this evening and for your continued partnership with Chamber.

And of course, a huge thank you to all of the fantastic suppliers and event partners who have helped bring tonight to life. From this stunning venue to what I am sure will be exceptional food, the lighting, the styling and every finishing touch.

Chamber does not run on its own. It is powered by people who give their time, their expertise, and their energy alongside demanding day jobs. Our Board members, Forum Leads, and volunteers are not just supporting Chamber. They are helping to shape the wider Island economy. They are creating opportunities, driving conversations, and supporting other businesses to grow. That contribution should never be underestimated and it is not taken for granted. To everyone who has given their time to Chamber, both past and present, thank you. Your work makes a real difference.

I also want to take a moment to recognise my wonderful colleague, Nikole. I cannot believe  it has nearly been a year already, and yet the difference she has made in that time is plain to see. She is an absolute delight to work with, and a good deal of what you see this evening is down to her hard work and dedication. Nikole, thank you.

When the Isle of Man Chamber of Commerce was founded in 1956, the world looked very different. No emails. No smartphones and A LOT more paper. The island's economy was still heavily dependent on tourism, agriculture and fishing. It was not until the late 1960s that the Isle of Man Government began using financial incentives to attract business from the UK, expanding the financial services sector to what we know today. Which means Chamber, it turns out, was founded at a pivotal moment, just before this island's economy began its transformation.

And yet, the ethos that created this organisation, that businesses are stronger when they stand together, connect with purpose and speak with one voice, has never gone out of fashion.

And here we are today. 70 years later!

Seventy years of showing up for this island's business community. Seventy years of advocacy, connection, and genuine commitment to making the Isle of Man a place where enterprise can thrive. That is not something any one person or team can claim credit for. It belongs to every member, every board director, every sector lead, every sponsor, and every supporter who has been part of this journey.

And what a community it is. Looking around this room tonight, I see the people who run businesses, create jobs, take risks and invest in this island's future every single day. You are the reason the Chamber exists, and you are the reason evenings like this feel worth doing properly.

The strength of the Isle of Man Chamber of Commerce is not in any one business, any one sector, or any one voice. It is in all of us, together. When our membership speaks as one, people listen. Government listens. Our influence is real, it is credible, and it is there for all to see. That collective voice is one of the most powerful tools Chamber has, and it belongs to every single person in this room tonight.

This is my eighth year as Chief Executive, and I am incredibly proud of everything we have achieved together in that time. When I look back at where Chamber was, it is a very different organisation.  But what drives me most is what comes next. We will continue to modernise, to improve, and to make Chamber stronger year on year, for our members and for the wider business community of this island.

Our President, Claire, will say more about the year we have had and the road ahead shortly. But I will say this: I feel genuinely proud of what this organisation has become, and genuinely excited about what is still to come.

For now, I hope you will enjoy every moment of this evening. The food, the wine, the company, and later, I hope, the dancing.

Thank you for being here. Thank you for being part of Chamber. And thank you for seventy years.

Rebecca George

CEO

Isle of Man Chamber of Commerce