News's blog

Castletown-based life company, Friends Provident International Limited (FPIL), is this year celebrating 30 years in the Isle of Man; a virtually unrivalled track record within the Island’s life assurance sector.

Since its humble beginnings in 1978, the company has operated under four different names, has occupied six offices - all in the south of the Island - and has provided investment solutions for over 100,000 policyholders worldwide.

FPIL has seen changes in tax rules, changes in parent groups, the development from hanging files to the internet revolution and the launches of products, funds and successful relationships. It has seen the Isle of Man rise to the status of a premier financial centre, as well as a range of global shifts, crises and triumphs.

A new look, improved services and an increasing number of jobs being advertised – and all with the same high level of dedication to helping each individual find the job that is right for them. That is the message from The JobCentre, which will be officially re-launched at a ceremony on Monday 30 June.

The refurbishment of The JobCentre on Prospect Hill, Douglas, brings with it a more professional and user-friendly service for both clients and employers.

Isle of Man, World class IT services group, Itex, which launched a full service division of the company in the Isle of Man in March, is due to hold its first quarterly breakfast briefing on 26th June at the Sefton Hotel, which is aimed specifically at Technology decision makers and Solution Providers.

The breakfast briefing called ‘Managing SQL Sprawl with HP Polyserve’ is being taken by Nick Coombs, of Hewlett Packard, who is being brought to the Island by Itex for the event, which will include a product demonstration and discussion on how HP’s Polyserve software can reduce server sprawl and improve efficiency through consolidation.

Nick Coombs began his career as a consultant for Hewlett Packard where he worked for six years before becoming the UK Based Systems Integrator at Morse for eight years. He then joined Veritas as a key member of the financial services team before becoming the Sales Manager for PolyServe.

The Colas Group has renewed its sponsorship of Finch Hill Cricket Club in a partnership that stretches back more than a decade.

Colas has been a keen supporter of developing local sporting talent in recent years and part of the sponsorship will be used to fund junior development at the cricket club, which plays its matches at Union Mills Football Club.

Roy Corlett, Finch Hill’s coach and junior development manager, explained: “I think that, for many people who are familiar with the media coverage that cricket receives, the words ‘Colas Finch Hill’ seem to go together so well.

Microgaming organises Executive Club Charity Poker Tournament and donates £10,000 to
Charity in the process

Microgaming, the world's leading software provider for online gaming, recently
invited the Island's business leaders, who are members of the Executive Club and
invited guests, to enjoy an exciting and entertaining night of charity poker.
£10,000 was donated by Microgaming to the winners of the event for the benefit of
local charities.

The annual event was sponsored and organised by Microgaming on behalf of the
Executive Club, and was attended by around 100 Executive Club members, invited
guests and Microgaming representatives. The evening was a great opportunity for
light hearted networking for Microgaming and the Executive Club, although
competitors took their poker very seriously during the evening especially as there
was £10,000 at stake for their chosen charities.