There were 20 great reasons to celebrate when management and guests of leading Trust and Corporate Services Provider IFG International gathered at The Courthouse in Douglas to mark two successful decades as a key part of the Isle of Man’s globally respected financial services industry.
The story began 20 years ago when IFG Group plc, headquartered in Dublin, made its first acquisition of a small, but well respected trust company in the Island. The business had a staff of 25, five of whom are still with the company.
From that point on the company’s fortunes have mirrored those of the Isle of Man itself with a sustained period of impressive growth. Today, IFG is one of the Island’s major employers with a staff of 160 across four office sites. The trust and corporate services business has also expanded into Switzerland, Cyprus, BVI, Jersey and Ireland, with a combined workforce in excess of 400.
Guests at the 20th anniversary celebrations included Treasury Minister, Allan Bell MHK, and the Mayor of Douglas, Councillor Thomas Michael Gelling, Mayoress Shirley Williamson, and key figures from IFG Group plc, including Group Chief Executive Mark Bourke.
Hosts for the evening were IFG International’s recently appointed Managing Director, Brian Lee, divisional Chief Executive Declan Kenny and Directors Karen Harris, David Harris, Mark Lewin, Gary Hepburn, Kevin O’Connell and Gillian Jordan.
At the heart of the company’s strategy has been the core principle of a quality service to clients. Despite considerable growth the fundamental operating philosophy has remained constant, something Managing Director, Brian Lee is determined to protect and nurture.
The company enters the second decade of the 21st century in excellent health. Over the past number of years, IFG International has enjoyed a significant increase in the number of clients and professional advisers seeking the services of an independent and professional trustee and corporate services provider.
From a position of strength, Brian Lee has set his sights on working closely with the financial services community in the Isle of Man to make it the offshore centre of choice. Given the company’s independence and its listing on the Dublin and London Stock Exchanges, he believes IFG to be well placed to grow the business over the next twenty years.
Brian Lee brings over a quarter of a century of senior management experience to his new position, gained in both the onshore and offshore spheres, including the Isle of Man since 1990.
He qualified as a Chartered Accountant with Deloitte and held senior positions with both Allied Irish Bank and the Ogier Group before joining IFG International.
Guests who joined the company for its 20th birthday celebrations enjoyed a true party atmosphere within the Island’s newest Night Club below the impressive Courthouse Wine Bar.
It was an excellent way to both mark the occasion and thank the many local businesses that have worked closely with IFG during its long presence in the Isle of Man and to give a clear commitment to staff, clients, professional advisers and the Isle of Man business community of its ambitions for the future.
Pictured (l-r): Treasury Minister Allan Bell MHK, Mark Bourke, Chief Executive of IFG Group plc, Declan Kenny, Chief Executive of IFG International Division and Brian Lee, Managing Director of IFG International Limited.
