The island’s aircraft registry has been presented with two prestigious awards at the World Commerce Review 2018 awards, Best Global Aviation Registry and Most Recommended Global Aviation Registry 2018.

Simon Williams, director of civil aviation, said: ’The IOMAR team work extremely hard and are utterly dedicated to constantly improving our approach to facilitating high regulatory standards while delivering excellent customer service.

’This latest success belongs to the excellent team I am fortunate enough to work with and they thoroughly deserve this strongly positive endorsement for yet another year of dedicated professionalism and high standards.

’We have so much more planned for the future and are passionate about raising standards of safety and regulation while providing the best possible support to our much valued client base.’

When asked about last year’s media speculation, Mr Williams, the boss of the island’s aircraft registry, praised his 17-strong team’s calm professionalism as the island came under ’intense media speculation’ in the wake of the so-called Paradise Papers.

Mr Williams, who once flew search and rescue plus special operations helicopters for the RAF, told the Manx Independent: ’I’m a pilot and aviation safety regulator not a tax adviser.’

He spoke exclusively to the Manx Independent following the awards announcement and for the first time since last November’s BBC Panorama programme made allegations which touched upon the island’s work registering aircraft.

Mr Williams, 51, said the programme had not dented the morale or the business done by the team which he described as a ’beacon of aviation safety regulatory excellence’.

The registry is now the second largest in Europe and the sixth largest in the world.

The registry, which comes under the government’s Department for Enterprise umbrella, has now registered 989 aircraft over the past decade But the number of aircraft around the world that are currently on the register stands at 431.

Speaking from the registry’s new base on the ground floor of Viscount House, Ronaldsway Airport, Mr Williams told the Manx Independent: ’Most of what last year was about [Paradise Papers] is beyond our remit.

’In essence my role is about being an aviation safety regulator, and the registry is only one part of my role as a safety regulator. We are still in our 10th anniversary year, there was a period of time when the island was under intense media speculation.

’But we have quietly and diligently just focused on doing what we do best and that is aviation safety and regulatory matters.

’And we have delivered a huge amount from a strategic point of view.

’I think it is important to stress that the aircraft registry role is one of registrar and then thereafter we are accountable for the safety performance of the aircraft on the register.

’That’s it.

’So where a lot of the focus of attention was on importation tax , VAT and other matters, that is beyond our remit and is well beyond my competency and experience.’

Mr Williams added: ’Importation tax and VAT is a very complex area and that falls outside the registry’s work. It’s a Treasury and Customs and Excise area of responsibility. That said, I do understand that the Isle of Man follows the same policy, laws and rules as the UK in relation to the importation of aircraft and with a focus on the VAT treatment of aircraft leasing arrangements.

’And obtaining advice on tax and importation and those sort of things is a highly specialised area that requires very knowledgeable, expert professional people to advise on.’

Mr Williams, who has been in the post for more than three years, was reluctant to get involved in discussing individuals.

The Panorama programme last November made great play on the allegation that Formula One four-times world champion Lewis Hamilton avoided paying VAT on his £16.5m jet by using an Isle of Man scheme.

Mr Williams told the Manx Independent: ’International sports stars and high profile figures might make for good headlines that are attention grabbing.

’From an aircraft registry view we don’t tend to comment on specific individuals.

’But I think it is a matter of public fact that that sportsman’s aircraft was actually on the UK register, the G register, at the time, and has subsequently migrated to the Austrian register and whilst I would not normally be drawn into commenting on individuals that particular aircraft has never been on the "M" register.

’I believe it was imported to the Isle of Man. There are many routes for importation of aircraft and other high value assets into Europe and in this instance that was the Isle of Man. It is worth bearing in mind that an aircraft does not have to be imported via the Isle of Man to be registered on the aircraft registry and many aren’t.

’It’s a highly complex area that requires specialist expert and legal advice to ensure that high standards are maintained.

’With regards to the future, the aircraft registry team will maintain its "safety with service" ethos and continue to facilitate high regulatory standards whilst delivering excellent customer service.

’We are already working on an ambitious regulatory and legislative plan that will see us at the forefront of international standards and recommended practices.’

Martyn Perkins MHK, department member with responsibility for the aircraft registry, said: ’I am delighted the Isle of Man Aircraft Registry has received Best Global Aviation Registry for the second year running and even more so to receive the new award of Most Recommended Global Aviation Registry.

’The IOMAR was established to provide a customer-focused service for the registration, and subsequent safety regulation of high quality private/corporate jets and twin turbine-engine helicopters and it’s encouraging to see recognition of this aim and its success today.’

The World Commerce Review awards celebrate achievement, innovation and excellence in the international business aviation industry.

Members of the aircraft registry team with Mr Williams, far right, and Martyn Perkins MHK, far left