The new British Irish Trade Alliance Isle of Man chapter is holding its inaugural lunch at the Comis Hotel and Golf Resort this week.

The event is being hailed as a chance to strengthen business ties.

Speaker, Alex Krol, a former Royal Marine and Invictus Games Gold Medallist, will share his insight into the highs and lows of dealing with a severe spinal injury and how he used sport to aid his recovery in terms of mental and physical well-being.

Brendon Kenny, chairman of BITAIOM and director of business development company Ellanstone said: ’We look forward to welcoming delegates from both sides of the Irish Sea to build relationships following the launch of the BITA Isle of Man chapter earlier this year.

’With BITA’s strong links with chapters in London, Liverpool, Dublin and its new alliances across the pond in the USA, it places the Isle of Man at the heart of it all.

’We would encourage representatives from Manx businesses to attend what should prove to be an exciting and memorable networking lunch.’

Mr Kenny says the event will be building on the launch of the BITA Isle of Man chapter earlier this year with what will be an afternoon of networking enabling new business connections on both sides of the Irish Sea.

Enterprise Minister Laurence Skelly MHK, said: ’The event will be a chance for us to promote the Isle of Man as a great place to do business as well as provide an opportunity to share our knowledge with UK and Irish organisations.

’It is important for us to continually strengthen business relationships with our counterparts across the Irish Sea in both the public and private sector, and through developing these important ties with our neighbours; we prepare ourselves for future engagement.’

More than 90 people from a range of Isle of Man, UK and Irish organisations have already registered for the event, including members of the Isle of Man Chamber of Commerce, the Wirral Chamber of Commerce, and Ellanstone.

Representatives from businesses who are looking to collaborate and launch in the Isle of Man, such as Recipro, Asset Training, and Go Green Office Solutions, will also be in attendance.

In accordance with BITA’s ethos, all proceeds from the raffle are in aid of Manx Charity, Live at Home.

A motorcycle helmet signed by 2019 Manx Grand Prix competitors is the top prize.

Chamber of Commerce chief executive Rebecca George said: ’We are delighted to be attending BITAIOM’s inaugural lunch next month.

’The event offers a fantastic chance for businesses across the Isle of Man, UK and Ireland to network and collaborate.

’The event also allows Isle of Man Chamber the opportunity to further develop our relationship with the Wirral Chamber of Commerce.’

The Department for Enterprise is sponsoring the event along with other local organisations including Manx Telecom, E-Sign, Nettl and Bold Consultancy.

The event, on Friday, September 6, will be opened by Lawrie Hooper MHK.

Tickets for the event are £90. For more information or to purchase a ticket, please visit: https://www.bita.ie/event/detail/isle-of-man-networking-lunch---6th-september.html

Meanwhile Mr Kenny said speaker Alex Krol will be sharing his journey of perseverance and overcoming adversity.

He said: ’We really hope this will make for a memorable lunch’.

Alex’s career was short lived when he was involved in a road traffic accident which left him paralysed and resulted in him being a full-time wheelchair user with limited use of his body.

This hasn’t stopped Alex from gaining his private pilot’s licence, being a member of the armed forces para snowsports team while managing his family responsibilities to his wife Jayne and their newest addition to the family, Xander.

With five wheelchair bungee jumps to his name Alex’s disability doesn’t hold him back. His work for different charities has seen him providing wheelchair skills sessions and delivering his story and workshops in schools and prisons on overcoming adversity.