The island’s Chamber of Commerce wants to allow businesses to share ideas and benefit from networking opportunities.

And a series of six forums, each focusing on a different sector of the island’s economy, have now been organised with this in mind.

The Chamber, the island’s biggest business network, includes members drawn from all sectors of the island’s economy.

It says the forums signal the start of a more proactive approach for the organisation.

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

The first - tomorrow (Thursday February 8) at the Advanced Manufacturing Training Centre, Hills Meadow, Douglas - will focus on the engineering and manufacturing sector.

As with all of the forums, the event is free and open to both Isle of Man Chamber of Commerce members, and non-members.

President, Chris Allen, said: ’These forums represent the beginning of a new era for Isle of Man Chamber of Commerce, and are the first in a number of new initiatives we are planning this year in order to provide more practical support for businesses.

’Our aim is to strengthen Chamber, and the collective voice we provide for businesses in all sectors of the economy.

’We will also be looking at how we can further develop our relationship with Wirral Chamber of Commerce, and exploring ways in which we can work together to achieve common goals that are shared by many companies in the Isle of Man, Wirral and the north west of England.’

The engineering and manufacturing forum will begin with an introductory speech by Dave Hester, managing director of Swagelok Limited, and chairman of Isle of Man Chamber’s Engineering and Manufacturing Committee.

Contributions will follow from ACE (Awareness in Careers in Engineering) Steering Group members Nigel Brown and Lorna Trevethan; Adrian Moore, development manager for manufacturing, space and inward investment at Isle of Man Government’s Department for Enterprise; and Dave Williams, business development director at Cammell Laird and chairman of Wirral Chamber manufacturing forum.

In the afternoon there will be a tour around the Advanced Manufacturing Training Centre and, if time permits, a tour around a company in the island’s engineering or manufacturing sectors.

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

Energy and environment: March 20 at Douglas Water Treatment Plant, Holmefield Road.

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

Visitor economy: May 22nd (venue TBC).

Construction: June 20 (venue TBC).

Digital: July 17 (venue TBC).

Wirral Chamber of Commerce is the UK’s fastest growing Chamber and plays a pivotal role in the growth and development of the economy in Wirral and the north west of England.

Paula Basnett, CEO of Wirral Chamber of Commerce, said: ’We have formed very close working relations with the Isle of Man Chamber of Commerce, and the introduction of these sector forums will enable both Wirral and the Isle of Man to look positively at how we move forward in creating business links, collaborative ventures and exchange of best practice.

’We are very excited at visiting the island again and introducing our members to key contacts in Manx business sectors.’ All of the forums are free to attend, 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.

For more information about both Chambers of Commerce, go to www.iomchamber.org.im and www.wirralchamber.co.uk

Chamber of Commerce president Chris Allen

The logo for the Isle of Man Chamber of Commerce

Links between the island and Wirral Chamber of Commerce