Isle of Man to host 2026 Interceltic Business Forum

The Isle of Man will host the Interceltic Business Forum for the first time in 2026, marking a new venue for the event that brings together business and policy figures from across the Celtic nations.

The one-day conference will take place at the Villa Marina in Douglas on 16 April 2026. Delegations are expected from the Isle of Man, Ireland, Scotland, Wales, Cornwall, Brittany and Galicia.

The forum will focus on economic links across Celtic regions. Organisers plan sessions for businesses, entrepreneurs and policymakers who are active in sectors that span national borders around the Irish Sea and Atlantic coasts.

The 2026 spring edition will be hosted by Business Isle of Man, an agency of the island’s Department for Enterprise. The agency works with sectors including engineering and manufacturing, cleantech, the built environment, food and drink, medicinal cannabis and the local services economy.

The Isle of Man describes itself as a testbed for new commercial approaches that draw on its geography and regulatory framework. It is the world’s first whole-nation UNESCO Biosphere, which recognises its environmental management and cultural heritage.

Organisers plan keynote speeches and panel discussions across several industries. The programme will feature maritime industries, sustainable finance, regenerative tourism and manufacturing, alongside other sectors that link the Celtic economies.

Attendees will include decision-makers, investors and founders who work across these fields. The agenda will place networking alongside formal conference sessions.

The event will also include an evening reception and organised excursions. Visiting delegates will have opportunities to engage with Manx culture and local businesses.

Business Isle of Man aims to use the forum to showcase activity on the island in areas such as sustainability and innovation-led manufacturing. The agency has increased its focus on export-facing sectors and on links with neighbouring jurisdictions.

The Isle of Man sits in the Irish Sea between Britain and Ireland and has regular air and ferry routes. Its government has promoted the island as a location for research and development projects that draw on its biosphere status and compact size.

Kirree Gooberman, Chief Executive of Business Isle of Man, said the forum would highlight those attributes.

“The Isle of Man is known for its beautiful landscapes, strong Celtic heritage, and progressive approach to business. As the first whole nation UNESCO Biosphere, the Island provides an excellent environment for testing new ideas and technologies, making it an ideal location for next year’s forum.

“We look forward to welcoming delegates and sharing what our Island has to offer,” said Gooberman.

The Interceltic Business Forum operates as both a conference and an ongoing network. It promotes commercial links and knowledge-sharing between regions with Celtic heritage, including smaller territories such as Cornwall and Brittany alongside larger economies such as Ireland and Scotland.

Previous editions have focused on themes such as trade, investment, community regeneration and the role of culture in regional development. The Isle of Man event is expected to follow a similar pattern, with sessions on trade links, tourism flows and joint projects in areas such as green technology.

The full list of speakers and panellists for 2026 has not yet been released. Organisers said they expect contributions from public and private sector leaders, alongside representatives of regional development bodies and industry groups.

The programme will also reflect the increasing interest in sustainable finance across Atlantic regions. Delegates are likely to discuss how banks, investment managers and insurers approach projects that involve green infrastructure and low-carbon industries.

Regenerative tourism is set to feature as another theme. This concept links visitor growth with environmental restoration and local community benefits, which aligns with the island’s biosphere designation.

Manufacturing and engineering discussions are expected to highlight supply chains that connect Celtic regions. These include marine engineering, food processing and advanced manufacturing activities that depend on specialist skills in smaller jurisdictions.

Charles Kergaravat, Founder of the Interceltic Business Forum, said the move into the Isle of Man underlined the network’s expanding footprint.

“We’re incredibly excited to bring the Interceltic Business Forum to the Isle of Man for the first time in 2026 - not only to build deeper connections with another Celtic region, but to showcase the impressive innovation and momentum emerging from the Island,” said Kergaravat.

Organisers plan to release further details on the agenda and speakers in the coming months as they prepare for delegate registration and travel arrangements.