The new offices of Deloitte at The Old Court House, Athol Street, Douglas have been officially opened by the Chief Minister, Tony Brown MHK.
A reception to mark the practice’s relocation to The Old Court House, Athol Street, Douglas was hosted by Deloitte Isle of Man Partner in Charge Sarah Sanders and Head of Offshore Rick Garrard.
Addressing the guests, who included Treasury Minister Allan Bell MHK, Mr Garrard said the new offices were a symbol of Deloitte’s long-term confidence in the Isle of Man as a well-regulated, transparent offshore financial centre and he praised Mrs Sanders and her team for developing the practice’s profile within the local business community.
Mr Garrard also said he had worked with Mrs Sanders for the past ten years to deliver three main objectives: to ensure that the Isle of Man market received maximum benefit from the specialist services delivered by the Isle of Man office in conjunction with its integrated UK firm; that the Isle of Man office played its full part in the local community, recognising that Mrs Sanders had led the firm in this respect for some time; and that the local office and its surroundings reflected the quality of the Deloitte brand.
Mrs Sanders then charted the course of the practice from the mid-1980s, when it was located first in Nelson Street, then Bank of Scotland House and Grosvenor House, before finally moving to The Old Court House in May 2009.
She said it had been important that the move "made the right statement", namely one that reflected the firm’s growth and success over the past ten years and the quality of the Deloitte brand.
In her closing remarks, she echoed her colleague Rick Garrard’s comments by saying that the relocation demonstrated Deloitte’s commitment to the Isle of Man.
Before unveiling a commemorative plaque, the Chief Minister acknowledged Deloitte’s investment and confidence in the Isle of Man in what he termed were ‘challenging’ economic times.
Mr Brown added that with its diverse economy, and co-operation between Government and the private sector, the Island was well-placed to face the challenges of the future, in which firms such as Deloitte will play a vital role.
Pictured (l-r): Treasury Minister Allan Bell MHK, Deloitte's Head of Offshore Rick Garrard, Chief Minister Tony Brown MHK and Isle of Man Partner in Charge Sarah Sanders.
