A TEAM of managers with a project about the encouragement of private health care in the Island has won the Chartered Management Institute's Manx Executive Challenge.
The three other teams looked at projects as diverse as the cost of exclusion of young people to society, development of a new business skills initiative and the establishment of a Manx Charities Foundation.
Organised by the Isle of Man branch of the Chartered Management Institute, the challenge offers individuals the opportunity to demonstrate senior management potential by working in a team - under the guidance of business advisers and mentors - to address an issue which is topical, relevant and of strategic importance to the Island.
During an exciting evening in front of a packed audience of distinguished guests, including the Lieutenant Governor Vice Admiral Sir Paul Haddacks, Lady Haddacks and Chief Minister Tony Brown, the four teams presented the results of eight months of research, hard work and innovative thinking.
For the first time there were additional awards in recognition of the best presentation and for individual endeavour within a team.
Professor Hugh Davidson presented the award for best presentation on the night to the ‘yellow’ team whose visual and emotive style of presentation about the impact of exclusion of young people from society proved popular with the audience.
Roger McCartney, UK NW regional director of the Chartered Management Institute, presented individual awards to one member of each team selected by the challenge committee as the individuals who best demonstrated the values of the challenge.
The recepients were: Gemma Webb (Aston International), Agnieszka Sitarek (The Mill Shop), Rachael Webb (Barclays Wealth) and Russell Cowin (Isle of Man Post).
Member of the winning team, Ty Smith, felt that his colleagues has all benefited hugely from the eight-month experience.
He said: "Participating in the challenge has given us an opportunity to challenge ourselves in a way that wouldn’t have been possible within our own companies. The requirement to research and absorb so much information from sectors you may not be familiar with and then incorporate this into a viable and beneficial project, is a massive test and one that really makes you face your strengths and weaknesses head on.
"The exposure we have received and lessons we learned during this eight month process will undoubtedly stand us in good stead in our future careers."
He hoped that those with responsibility for health care in the Isle of Man would help take their recommendations forward.
"The team is currently in discussion with our key stakeholders and other interested parties who want to see the project implemented. I think this proves that you can influence the future of the Island if you are up to the challenge."
For the first time, the 2010 Challenge offered formal learning opportunities at the Isle of Man Business School and all participants are eligible to gain the Chartered Management Institute’s Level 7 Certificate in Strategic Management and Leadership.
The winning green team pictured with Lieutenant Governor Sir Paul Haddacks: Rachel Lee (AIB), David Cook (Standard Bank) Ty Smith (Gaming Control Commission), Neil Smith (Zurich), Marianne O’Hare (MEA) and Gemma Davies (Aston International)
