Island Influencers

Join me this week as I chat with Personal Trainer Juan Cheung. Juan's story is deeply rooted in the Isle of Man; he was born in Douglas. Growing up, his parents ran a successful local Chinese takeaway, instilling a solid work ethic and a sense of achievement in him. From his experiences in high school sports to navigating the financial industry, Juan's journey eventually led him to become a person...

This week's Island Influencers conversation is rich with insight and a heartfelt warmth that is undoubtedly going to resonate. I welcome Andrea Chambers, Chief Executive Officer at Isle Listen and Minds Matter. Andrea, a proud Manx native, shares her journey from nursing, including her time in the special care baby unit. We'll also explore her transition to full-time motherhood and the path that u...

Welcome to Episode 104 of Island Influencers!  Today, we delve into the captivating life story of Jeroen Wats, a remarkable Island Influencer and inventor whose lifelong passion for the sea has shaped his life.  Learn about his pivotal moment in 2003, when his team won the transatlantic race from Cape Town to Rio de Janeiro, covering a staggering 4,000 nautical miles in 20 days and raising conside...

Welcome, and Happy New Year! To kick off season 5 of Island Influencers, I delve into Lianne Gregory's life story, a native of Laxey on the Isle of Man who has carved a unique path in health and fitness. Lianne is the sole instructor on the island to teach the original Joseph Pilates method, an approach renowned for its holistic benefits. Her story begins with a different passion - the equestrian...

My Island Influencer this week, Catriona Mackie , boasts an extraordinary professional and personal life story so compelling that it spans four remarkable pages on her CV! Hailing from the south of Glasgow, Catriona is a passionate social historian interested in material culture and its reflection on the socio-cultural, economic, and political contexts in which it evolves. We delve into her story,...

Welcome to another episode of Island Influencers! This week, I'm delighted to feature Damian Molyneux, Director/Advocate at M&P Legal. Damian stands as a notable presence in the Isle of Man's legal sphere. Originating from Kirkham, a town near Blackpool, he grew up in a devout Catholic household, with a familial link to the priesthood adding to his unique background. His journey began in the field...

Welcome to a special edition of Island Influencers! We've hit the incredible milestone of our 100th episode!  From its humble beginnings, born during the challenging times of the pandemic, the  Island Influencers podcast has grown and flourished, and it's all thanks to the unwavering support of our remarkable island influencers and the fantastic Isle of Man community.  A heartfelt thank you to eac...

  Welcome to episode 99 of the Island Influencers podcast! My featured guest today is Kurt Roosen, a key figure in the realm of digital innovation on the Isle of Man. Kurt's life began unconventionally being born above a transport café in Birmingham, where he honed his communication skills through interactions with customers from a young age. His path took a unique turn when he decided to break th...

  Welcome to episode 98 of Island Influencers! This week we have Island Influencer Lyle Krause , a man with a fascinating journey from South Africa to the Isle of Man. Lyle arrived on our shores back in 2018 and he and his wife have really thrown themselves into our island community. Lyle, a devoted father of two, is also an accomplished account and relationship manager. His unwavering drive, moti...

In this week's episode, I'm joined by Island Influencer Greg Ellison, the founder of AI Strategy Ninja. With an illustrious 25-year career in the financial services sector, including the last 15 years at the helm as CEO, Greg is now channeling his expertise towards helping businesses harness the exciting opportunities of AI. A lifelong advocate of continuous learning, Greg embarked on his educatio...

Welcome back to another captivating episode of Island Influencers. This week, I have the pleasure of introducing you to the one and only John Keggin, Managing Director at Island Escapes Limited.    John's story takes us back to his upbringing within a family deeply woven into the fabric of Manx tourism. Imagine generations warmly welcoming guests to the picturesque The Tower Hotel in Port Erin.  ...

This week, I had the privilege of exploring the world of Island Influencer Jessica Le Merle, Director and Co-founder of Afundi, a full-service development and collaborative design agency that empowers brands and businesses to stand out from the crowd.   Since moving from Durban, South Africa, to the Isle of Man in 2014, Jessica has made her mark in the local digital landscape.    In our conversati...

This week I have the pleasure of sitting down with an incredible individual who has significantly impacted their career and community. Island Influencer Ciara Sowerby is a Physics, Astrophysics and Cosmology graduate striving to affect change professionally and personally.    Ciara admits she has had a deep curiosity and a desire to explore new things. She dabbled in various sports and hobbies fro...

My Island Influencer this week is Bettina Roth, Chief Executive, Isle of Man Financial Services Authority. Bettina has an extensive background in the financial services industry, boasting a wealth of international experience gained from her impressive career in both the regulatory and private sectors. With a strong track record of professional achievement, Bettina has held senior positions in vari...

This week, my Island Influencer is a true pioneer in nutrition and menopause, Joanne Posey . Hailing from the Isle of Man, Joanne is an expert in her field, dedicated to helping individuals and groups navigate the challenges of menopause and find relief from their symptoms. But Joanne's influence doesn't stop there. She also works with organisations, empowering them to support their staff during t...

Welcome to another episode of Island Influencers! This week, I have the privilege of featuring Jackie Betteridge, the remarkable CEO of Crossroads, the largest Third Sector organisation on the Isle of Man. When Jackie took the helm at Crossroads, it was a small organisation, but under her leadership, the workforce has grown by an astounding 500%, and the number of volunteers has increased by 100%....

Welcome to this week's episode of Island Influencers. I am excited to introduce you to Sacha Horsthuis , a dynamic marketeer and a keen sportswoman.  Although Manx born, Sacha spent most of her childhood and adolescence in beautiful North Yorkshire in the UK and lived briefly in Saudi Arabia. Sacha returned to the Isle of Man 9 years ago.  Sacha and her husband Mark co-own Cycle 360, the Island's...

Natasha Brown is the owner and one of the teachers at Swing in the Isle. She describes herself as an "Essex girl by birth", admitting money was tight growing up with her twin siblings on a council estate. Natasha met her husband, Craig, thanks to ballroom dancing at Cambridge University. As a former primary school headteacher, she describes herself as "a lifelong learner" Natasha knew from a young...

My guest this week is Joff Whitten, an intelligent and creative education leader with over 25 years of experience working in cultural and learning settings. Joff has managed and delivered a diverse and exciting range of successful learning and engagement projects working with organisations of varying sizes, supporting those with little opportunity, especially children and young people, to find the...

Angela Clucas, the owner of Next Level Nutrition Isle of Man, is a university-qualified nutritionist with over six years of experience coaching people to achieve their weight and health goals. She is passionate about helping people regain control of their health and happiness by prioritising their needs so they can feel in control. Angela is friendly, non-judgemental, and passionate about helping...

Micky Swindale is well-known in the Isle of Man's business community. She was the 1st female President of the Chamber of Commerce and 1st female partner at KPMG here on the island. Micky has been a champion for inclusion and diversity, particularly gender diversity. A keen sportswoman, the opportunity to help drive diversity in sports attracted her to get involved (as Vice President) with the Isle...

In a time of unprecedented global challenges, now more than ever, there is a demand for a shift in how we connect to and interact with our living planet. My Island Influencer this week, Rowan Henthorn, is the owner of Make Good Limited, a new environmental consultancy and lifestyle brand that "helps businesses and communities find practical and enjoyable ways to reduce their environmental impact,...

This week's Island Influencer is Jamie Lewis, Founder at COURTESY, helping hospitality brands build, transform and communicate. In addition, Jamie is the Managing Director of Extra Fancy, Co-Founder of Table of Two and Director & Trustee of Isle of Pride. Jamie grew up in Chesterfield during the "new Labour years" with a big focus on education and a big focus on getting people from disadvantaged b...

This week's Island Influencer Shelley Langan-Newton grew up in Dewsbury, West Yorkshire, where she passed her 11 plus one year early. She moved to the Isle of Man when her son (now 18) was six years old. Shelley admits that she has a going-with-the-flow philosophy which has permeated throughout her career, describing herself as "a strategic, organised, and collaborative executive leader with a pas...

Kicking off season 4 and our first podcast episode of 2023 is Island Influencer Tracey Brodie, Belief Coding® Trainer & Coach. Tracey Brodie grew up in North Wales, her Dad died when she was just 14. From 16, Tracey trained and worked as a beauty therapist for many years, before obtaining a teaching degree and teaching beauty. Her husband Tom's job enticed them to the Isle of Man and although they...