A major international business festival could provide new opportunities for Isle of Man firms, according to Estera Director Sandra Georgeson.

She was speaking after attending the International Festival for Business in Liverpool, where more than 30,000 delegates from 100 countries gathered for conferences and seminars covering a wide range of industries including manufacturing, energy and financial services.

Sandra was joined by fellow Isle of Man-based Director Gary O’Connor at the month-long IFB to represent Estera; corporate, trust, funds and accounting services company formed following the management buyout of Appleby’s fiduciary business. Presence at major international events is part of the ambitious plans for growth announced when the Estera name and brand were unveiled in April.

Speakers at this year’s IFB included respected business leaders Lord O’Neill of Gatley, who worked for Goldman Sachs as a Chief Economist, and Dr Adam Marshall, Acting Director General of the British Chambers of Commerce.

Sandra and Gary attended several conferences and seminars at the festival, including the Property Forum, which focused on issues driving the UK property debate and highlighted new developments and projects which are taking place across the UK. The forum included a Gala Dinner where Lord John Prescott, former Deputy Prime Minister, was the keynote speaker.

Sandra also attended the Isle of Man Renewable Energy Breakfast Seminar, which included an in-depth discussion about offshore renewable energy projects, focusing on the positive involvement from the Isle of Man and the potential benefits of getting involved with developing plans.

The pair also attended the Isle of Man Maritime Group networking event, held on the Kathleen and May tall ship, which was promoting the Isle of Man as a Maritime Centre of Excellence. Estera was recently announced at the newest member of the Group.

Gary and Sandra also attended a panel event on Funding Businesses at Every Stage, which concentrated on the Enterprise Development Scheme offered by the Isle of Man Government. The panel consisted of senior representatives from HSBC, SPARK, Impact, Syndicate Room and Angel Investors.

Sandra said: ”The International Festival for Business is the ideal setting for the Isle of Man to promote itself as an outstanding place to do business to a global audience. The Island, and businesses based here, were well-represented throughout the Festival, from hosting and being involved in conferences and seminars to taking advantage of the networking opportunities. I’m sure that important contacts will have been made during the IFB which could generate new business for the Island in the future.

“The Festival was also an important opportunity for us to introduce Estera as the new name for world-class fiduciary services to potential clients and business partners from all over the globe. Although our brand was only launched a few months ago, as a business we are building on longstanding experience with a strong team of experts who are recognised leaders in their fields. We already have more than 350 people employed across 10 jurisdictions, including the Isle of Man, and have ambitious plans to grow the business quickly and to a market-leading position. IFB was another opportunity to share our objectives and explain what we can do from our Isle of Man office and across our global network.”

Photo - Sandra Georgeson