Vannin Ventures, the subsidiary of Manx Telecom established to identify new long term growth opportunities, has announced their majority shareholding in a new Isle of Man company, Goshawk Communications Limited, that will provide pioneering technology to help mobile phone users with hearing loss. In the UK alone, nine million people experience varying degrees of hearing loss, affecting their ability to use voice services on mobile phones. Using personalised auditory profiles that are created for each user, the new company combines intellectual property originally developed by the Goshawk team, with the commercial and technological capability of Vannin Ventures.

Commenting on the creation of this exciting new joint venture, Tom Meageen, Managing Director of Vannin Ventures, said: “Today is another significant milestone in our growth plans following the acquisition of local telecoms software company Partitionware at the end of last year. Through clinical trials conducted in the Isle of Man over the last 18 months we have shown that the technology can have a transformative effect in improving communication for those suffering from hearing loss. There is also a significant global market into which this technology can be extended. To establish a new company on the Island that will be our research and development centre and operations hub for the business, is particularly pleasing and a key part of Vannin Ventures’ strategy to incubate and grow new businesses on the Island.”

Goshawk Communications Limited CEO Matthew Turner will relocate from the UK to establish Goshawk Communications on the Island. He said: “We are really proud to see our technology become part of something that has all the ingredients and potential to improve the lives of millions of global users. As a hearing impaired person myself, I am passionate about the benefits this technology can bring. I am particularly impressed with the Isle of Man as an international business centre and look forward to the future success of this venture.”

Photo - left to right are Tom Meageen, Managing Director of  Vannin Ventures; Charles Henshaw, Deputy Chairman of Goshawk Communications Limited; Matthew Turner, CEO of Goshawk Communications Limited; and Gary Lamb, CEO of Manx Telecom.