The Isle of Man Government’s Department of Economic Development has appointed Simon Pickering to the new role of Business Development Manager, Retail Financial Services.
 
John Spellman, Director of Financial Services, Department of Economic Development commented:
 
‘This is a new role which has been created in acknowledgment of the evolving landscape for financial services in the Isle of Man as set out in the Island’s economic plan for the future, Vision2020.  It reinforces the Isle of Man Government’s commitment to promoting its financial and professional services sector, which represents over a third of our economy employing nearly 7,000 people.
 
‘Simon will be responsible for driving forward and growing the Island’s Banking, Life Assurance, Pensions and retail financial sectors.
 
‘The Isle of Man is one of the nations leading the drive towards tax transparency and international compliance, so Simon will have an important role supporting and assisting local industry within the retail financial services sector, as well as developing new business opportunities for the Isle of Man.
 
Simon Pickering joins the Department from one of the Island’s largest firms of financial advisors MBL Financial Ltd where he had been Managing Director since 2010.
 
Simon Pickering commented:
 
‘I’m looking forward to the challenges and responsibilities that this new role will bring. I will be working closely with local industry to further develop the Island’s world class offering as an International Business Centre with a successful and well-respected financial services industry. Furthermore, I will build on the Isle of Man’s existing reputation as a place where retail and sophisticated investors can place their money with confidence, with experts they can trust and in an environment which meets their needs.’