Energy and the environment will be the focus of the next Isle of Man Chamber of Commerce sector forum later this month.

The island’s biggest business network is holding a series of monthly forums, each one focusing on a different sector of the Island’s economy.

It all kicked off last month with a gathering on engineering and manufacturing.

Chamber’s aim is to allow businesses to share ideas and benefit from networking opportunities, and build links with the business sector in the north west of England.

All of the forums are being run in conjunction with Wirral Chamber of Commerce.

The second forum in the series is at Douglas Water Treatment Plant, Holmefield Road, on March 20.

It begins at 10am with time for registration and networking before an introduction to the day’s events, followed at 10.45 am by a presentation from Isle of Man Chamber’s FUEL (Future Emerging Leaders) committee.

Energy and environment experts from Isle of Man Government complete the morning’s presentations.

Following lunch and a tour round the Water Treatment Plant, the afternoon sessions begin with a forum led by Dr Richard Bujko from the Manx Utilities Authority which will focus on future energy scenarios to the year 2050.

This will lead into presentations and discussions with Tom Kelly, director, Inteb Managed Services and Chair of Wirral Energy and Environment Sector Forum; and Jonathan Quinn, CEO owner founder (Blockwalls constructioncompany) and vice chairman of Wirral Energy and Environment Sector Forum.

Isle of Man Chamber of Commerce President, Chris Allen, said: ’We were very pleased with the response to the first forum.

’It was a great start to this new initiative, and we aim to build on this success in the coming months, starting with the energy and environment forum.

’These sectors offer a great many challenges and opportunities, and it will be very interesting to hear the views of experts in this field from both here in the island, and the UK.’

Isle of Man organisations represented at the energy and environment forum include Barclays, Cyber Science, Ellan Vannin Fuels, HSBC, Mann Benham advocates, SCS, Strix SPARK Impact, TUM, The Energy Savers, and representatives from Isle of Man Government’s Cabinet Office and Department for Enterprise.

Wirral organisations expected to be represented at the forum include Bagnall and Morris, Blockwalls, EcoGrid Limited, Envirolyte ECA UK Ltd, Inteb Managed Services, Modpack System, Nauticuas, PSW Integrity Ltd, Stiebel Eltron, Trim Technik, Ukled limited, and Vehicle Charging Solutions.

Here are the details for sector forums in the months ahead (all run from 10am to 2.30pm):

lFinance and professional services: April 17 (venue TBC).

lVisitor economy: May 22nd (venue TBC).

lConstruction: June 20th (venue TBC).

lDigital: July 17th (venue TBC).

All the forums are free to attend, and open to both Isle of Man Chamber of Commerce members, and non-members. However, booking in advance is essential.

Email Rebecca George (chief operating officer at Isle of Man Chamber of Commerce) at [email protected] to book your place.

Chris Allen