On Friday 11th March 2016 the Isle of Man Funds Association hosted their Annual Dinner at the Palace Hotel. The Association, and the evenings sponsors RBS International and MAC Group, welcomed over 180 guests from local fund management, wealth management and associated service provider firms. Former easyJet Sales and Marketing Director, Mr Tony Anderson, attended as guest speaker for the evening.

Chairman of the Isle of Man Funds Association, Carolyn Gelling, opened the evening with an update on the previous year’s activity and plans for 2016. She referred to how the Association had evolved since its inception in 1987 and how it now represents a wide cross section of the Isle of Man’s fund and wealth management industry and continually seeks to promote the Island’s extensive service offering. Carolyn encouraged Member Firms to get involved with the busy program of both on and off-island activity for 2016.

Following dinner, the Master of Ceremonies for the evening, Mr Nick Preskey, introduced The Hon. Laurence Skelly MHK, who provided an update from the Department of Economic Development and it’s work with the Association. After which, guests were addressed by Mr Tony Anderson.

Tony explained that after rising through the ranks at British Airways and Thomas Cook, he joined easyJet as the new airline’s third employee some six months before its first flight. As Sales and Marketing Director, he referred to working closely with Stelios Haji-Ioannou to launch and build the company that became an internet pioneer, a household name and a major force in European aviation. Tony went on to become easyGroup Marketing Director. The audience heard several anecdotes from Tony about his involvement in taking the ‘easy’ brand into new business areas, ranging from car rental and cinemas to a chain of giant internet cafes.

Commenting on the event, Carolyn said: “The annual dinner is an opportunity for representatives of our Member Firms and the local business community to gather and celebrate the invaluable work of the Association, as we continue our ongoing efforts to promote the Isle of Man. I would like to express thanks to Minister Skelly, RBS International and MAC Group for their continued support; our guest speaker, Mr Tony Anderson for his entertaining after-dinner speech, and to all those who kindly donated to a fabulous list of prizes for our charity tombola.”

Photo - Carolyn Gelling, Chairman and Tony Anderson, Guest Speaker.