The Isle of Man Funds Association hosted its Annual General Meeting and Luncheon at the Sefton Hotel on 3rd December.

Outgoing Chairman, David McGarry, opened the meeting and welcomed those present. He thanked the Committee, Member Firms and various other contributors for their continued hard work and dedication to the Isle of Man Funds Association during his one year tenure as Chairman.

Reports were provided by The Treasurer, Peter Craig, and the outgoing chair’s of the Association’s three Sub-Committee’s, Elizabeth Tansell for the Regulatory Sub-Committee, Mark Holligon for the Marketing Sub-Committee and Vincent Campbell for the Membership Sub-Committee.

Overall it had been a busy year for the Association during which it had provided responses to a number of local industry consultations, arranged local training, CPD events and networking opportunities for Member Firms on the Island and carried out various Roadshow visits to cities across the UK and into the Middle East, attending events, conferences and hosting events, including the annual London luncheon at Clothworkers Hall.

Nominations were accepted for the new Committee for the forthcoming year and the Committee members were confirmed as: Carolyn Gelling (Chairman), Vincent Campbell, Peter Craig, Monica Dixie, Claira Elliott, Angus Gilmore, Andrew Harding, Martin Heaney, Mark Holligon, Kristan King, Ita McArdle, Steve McCafferty, Barry Monks, Andrew Rouse, Carly Stratton and Stuart Watson.

Incoming Chairman, Carolyn Gelling, thanked David McGarry for his hard work and contribution to the Association over a period of many years, including more than one term as Chairman and extended the Committee’s best wishes for his retirement. Carolyn explained that the new Committee would be finalising its planning for 2016 within the coming weeks and highlighted the opportunity for Member Firms to get involved in the program of on and off-island activity.

The formalities were followed by a Christmas Lunch served by the Sefton Hotel staff. Over dessert, Mr John Garland, Head of Corporate Financial Services at the Department of Economic Development provided an update on his department’s regional development program and the Funds Association’s developing relationship with the BVCA (British Venture Capital Association) and the Island’s new Enterprise Development Scheme.

Photo - L-R - Peter Craig (Treasurer), John Garland, David McGarry, Ian Morley, Carolyn Gelling (Chairman).