Island Influencers

Our latest Island Influencer episode is a first for us—and a very special one. It's not often we get the chance to welcome a mother and daughter together, but we felt this was a truly lovely combination. Their intertwined stories deserve to be heard in tandem. You'll meet Sarah Jarvis, who built a successful career in marketing before life threw her a devastating curveball—stage three ovarian canc...

In this latest episode of Island Influencers , Wendy Ranft-Gerber shares her life story from growing up in South Africa to finding a new home - and a new calling - on the Isle of Man.   Wendy's story is one of adaptability, courage, and deep compassion, spanning military service, a career in financial services, and eventually following her passion into yoga teaching and cancer wellness coaching.  ...

In this latest episode of Island Influencers , Sharon chats with Graham Makepeace-Warne, Marketing and Engagement Manager at Manx Wildlife Trust. Graham shares his fascinating journey from a corporate marketing career in Manchester to finding a deeper sense of purpose in conservation on the Isle of Man. He reflects on the pivotal moment that made him rethink his career and commit to protecting nat...

This week Sharon chats with Kasia Chudy, a veterinary surgeon and the founder of the Natural Animal Clinic in Ballasalla, where she and her team bring a fresh and holistic approach to animal care.  Originally from Poland, Kasia studied veterinary medicine at the University of Environmental and Life Sciences in Wrocław. She moved to the UK before discovering the Isle of Man and making the island he...

In this episode of Island Influencers, we welcome Deborah Heather, CEO of Visit Isle of Man to share her story and ambitious plans for the island.  Deborah's early childhood was in Durham, and at nine, she moved to Hong Kong. Her experiences abroad and back in the UK shaped her perspective and led to a successful career in the hotel industry, ultimately guiding her to her current role.  She discus...

This special International Women's Day episode comes a little later than planned due to illness, but it's worth the wait! Island Influencer Vicki Hotchkiss comes from a long line of inspirational women and continues to break barriers for future generations. As the Founder of Compass Strategy and a non-executive director for the Isle of Man Football Association , Vicki shares her personal and profe...

In this episode of Island Influencers, I sit down with the incredible Jason Bissell , Global AI & Data Executive, Strategic Advisor, and Chair of the UNESCO Biosphere Isle of Man Board. From a small village in Somerset to leading global AI, tech, and data companies, Jason's career path and life story are nothing short of inspiring. We talk about how his early experiences, including the influence o...

This week, Sharon records live from the vibrant and cosy setting of Wine Down, the Isle of Man's cherished restaurant and wine shop, with Anne Harrison, its co-founder. Years before opening the doors to Wine Down, Anne thought of the name while out on a run—where she does all her best thinking—and dreamed of one day owning her own business. That vision became a reality when she partnered with the...

In this episode of Island Influencers, Sharon welcomes Sarah Hickey, the Peatland and Upland Carbon Officer for the Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture (DEFA). Sarah shares her passion for conservation, discusses her career path, and sheds light on her critical work and the significance of peatland restoration on the Isle of Man.  We delve into Sarah's story, shaped by a love for the o...

This week's Island Influencers podcast features John Webster, Chairman of Manx Technology Group. From his early days growing up near Liverpool and spending summers on the Isle of Man, to becoming an accomplished economist, entrepreneur, and leader in both public and private sectors. John has been a key figure in shaping the Isle of Man's economic landscape. During the 1970s and 1980s, he played a...

In the inaugural episode of Island Influencers for 2025, Sharon chats with Dr. Karen Wilson, who shares her remarkable life story from growing up in Glasgow to settling on the Isle of Man and founding Mannin Doctors, the island's first private healthcare practice, while detailing the challenges she faced, the successes she achieved, and her vision for creating patient-centred, accessible healthcar...

Our latest Island Influencer Amy Howse , grew up in Weston-super-Mare and started exploring the world on her own at 19. Her adventures and curiosity inspired her to pursue a career in Speech & Language Therapy (SLT) while also fueling her passion for yoga and sound therapy. Through Soundology, she uses sound therapy to encourage emotional healing and support mental health. Her approach now include...

This week's Island Influencer is Chris Gregory, Chief Executive of Isle of Play, a charity dedicated to promoting, providing, and advocating for every child on the Isle of Man to fulfil their 'Right to Play.' Chris was born and raised in Newton-le-Willows, a small town situated between Wigan, Warrington, and St. Helens. Growing up in a hard-working, working-class family, he witnessed firsthand the...

My guest this week is Ben Barringer, a Chartered Financial Analyst, Global TMT Analyst, and Executive Director at Quilter Cheviot. This slightly different podcast interview is a taster of our upcoming Breakfast Seminar on September 26th at St John's Mill, Isle of Man, where Ben will be our guest speaker.  He will be discussing everything you ever wanted to know about AI but were too afraid to ask....

This week's Island Influencer Gary Cobb, the Airport Director at Isle of Man Airport, joins me to share his life story from growing up in a small mining town, gaining a chemical engineering degree to aviation leadership, including roles at Gatwick Airport and Highlands and Islands Airport. Gary, along with his wife and cat, has been a resident of the Isle of Man since 2022. His passion for aviatio...

This week's Island Influencer is Gyp Buggane, a passionate musician and dedicated small business owner. The conversation revolves around music's profound impact on his upbringing, his pursuit of passions, and his navigation of the creative industries. Growing up on the Isle of Man, music is deeply rooted in Gyp's family's history. Gyp's love for music was nurtured from a young age, from his father...

This week's Island Influencer is John Knight, the CEO of Hospice Isle of Man. He shares his life, from his early days and university days to his time living on the island, his departure, and his eventual return to lead one of the most essential services on the Isle of Man.   John's path has been anything but conventional. Moving six times before age sixteen, he developed a fearless approach to new...

This week, I am thrilled to introduce Island Influencer Catherine (Cath) Robertshaw , Chief Operating Officer, Eyesea, a nonprofit organisation with a mission to map global pollution and maritime hazards. Born in Wales (yes, she's a big rugby fan!) Cath grew up in South Africa, where her love for the ocean and beaches blossomed. After returning to the UK for her studies and teacher training, she e...

This week's Island Influencer, Tanya Anderson , perfectly embodies the spirit of green living and sustainable gardening.   American-born author, blogger, and YouTube personality based on the beautiful Isle of Man, Tanya has become a gardening guru for many, with over two hundred thousand subscribers on her YouTube channel and an ever-growing social media following.  Her platform, Lovely Greens, is...

Welcome to episode 112 of Island Influencers. I'm honoured to introduce this week's Island Influencer, Derry Kissack, BEM . Derry is known to thousands, especially as a key member/frontman of the world-famous Purple Helmets motorcycle display team. Many of you will recognise him as the energetic commentator who guides awe-struck spectators through their breathtaking performances. He is a favourite...

In this latest episode, I'm excited to welcome Island Influencer Carol Ann Kinley-Smith , an extraordinary force in criminology, forensic science, and investigative security. Carol Ann is committed to leveraging her diverse experiences to enrich society. She brings a wealth of expertise from her extensive career, operating at the highest levels in both investigative and intelligence capacities. Or...

In this latest episode of Island Influencers, I delve into Sarah Mercer , co-founder of Earthscope's remarkable story. Originally from Liverpool, Sarah moved to the Isle of Man at age two, shaping her childhood along the island's shores and landscapes. Her academic pursuits in Physical Geography at Durham University sparked a deep interest in environmental issues, leading her to co-found Footprint...

This week's Island Influencer's life story is nothing short of jaw-dropping. I am only scratching the surface with this introduction. Boakesey Closs , the IXth Manx Bard, embodies resilience in every word she weaves. Born amidst unexpected circumstances in London during her mother's return from Nigeria, Boakesey's life path defies convention from the outset. Raised in North Wales, she navigated a...

The wonderful Sinead O'Connor is my 108th Island Influencer, and she heads the Regulatory and Compliance Services team at DQ Advocates, based in the Isle of Man. Sinead is a seasoned professional in the compliance sphere, with a career spanning back to the mid-1990s. However, her credentials are not the only thing that sets her apart.  Born in Northern Ireland, she found her "freedom and sense of...

Welcome to episode 107 of Island Influencers! Chatting with Fiona Fitzpatrick, an esteemed International Business Development Consultant, Coach, Facilitator, and Speaker is my absolute privilege. With a wealth of experience, Fiona specialises in empowering food companies to achieve growth through strategic brand optimisation, people development, and innovative thinking. In this episode, Fiona shar...