The Business Isle of Man Agency is set to host the first joint aerospace ’cluster’ summit in the New Year.

Five groups will come together to network, build relationships and create opportunities across the Irish Sea.

It is being hailed by organisers as recognising there is value and opportunity for businesses in the island,UK and Ireland to work together in partnership.

The relationship betweenthe group has taken on added importance because of the current uncertainty around Brexit.

There are at least 20 member companies of the Isle of Man group of companies.

They include large businesses such as the Ronaldsway Aircraft Company, Triumph Integrated Systems and Swagelok Limited.

The five groups due to come together for the summit next month (January) comprise members of the Isle of Man Aerospace Cluster (IOMAC), The North West Aerospace Alliance (NWAA), the Emerald Aerospace Group, Shannon International Aviation Services Centre, and Northern Ireland’s Causeway Aero Group.

Business Isle of Man was one of the new agencies launched by the Department for Enterprise earlier this year.

It supports the IOMAC, acting as the conduit between private and public sector organisations within the aerospace industry.

Adrian Moore, head of Business Isle of Man and chairman of the Isle of Man Aerospace Cluster [IOMAC], said: ’It is encouraging that so many large companies from Ireland and North West England are seeing value in creating links and relationships with the Isle of Man. The export and supply chain prospect it provides for IOMAC members within the industry is huge.

’With growing order books and steep build rate increases along with the potential eco-nomic uncertainty because of Brexit, it is important that we look to our neighbours to move forward in close-working relationships.’

Dr David W. Bailey, chief executive of the North West Aerospace Alliance [NWAA] said: ’The NWAA are delighted to support the IOMAC with the Joint Aerospace Cluster Summit. This new event will bring together, for the very first time, members from each of the trade associations and industry groupings from Ireland, Northern Ireland, the Isle of Man and the North West of England. It is set to be a fantastic two-day event with networking opportunities, industry updates and interactive workshop sessions to maximise collaboration.

’As the host of the first event, this gives the Isle of Man a superb opportunity to showcase the island’s aerospace heritage and capability.’

The summit will provide attendees with the opportunity to talk with potential new clients, suppliers and partners and discover capabilities in the supply chain that haven’t previously been considered. UK and Irish businesses will also be taken for site tours around IOMAC member businesses. This not only showcases the success of the businesses here on the Island but also provides opportunity to see first-hand their work and identify areas for collaboration.

Minister for Enterprise, Laurence Skelly MHK, who will be opening the summit, said: ’We are proud to have an economy where local entrepreneurship is supported and thriving and more new businesses are choosing to call the Isle of Man home.

’The summit will be a fantastic opportunity to showcase the island as a place of enterprise and opportunity and a special place to live and work.’ The summit will be on January 16 and 17 at the Comis Hotel, Mount Murray.