Exactly what it says on the tin – news snippets, forthcoming events and information from the
business world.
BARCLAYS EAGLE LAB
CONTINUES TO SOAR ONE YEAR ON
The Barclays Eagle Lab in Douglas is celebrating its first year of helping local
entrepreneurs, businesses and the community to create, innovate and grow.
T he Lab opened in partnership with the
Isle of Man Chamber of Commerce and
the Department for Enterprise in June last
year to serve as a community resource and to
encourage economic growth on the Isle of Man.
“The Eagle Lab’s role is to support the Isle
of Man by fostering innovation, driving
local economic growth, developing digital
empowerment in the local community and
facilitating business success,” said ecosystem
manager Elissa Morris.
“In our first 12 months, we have supported 30
resident start-ups as they create new businesses
and jobs on the island including an interior
design business, a creative digital agency and
an international pet food brand.
“We’ve welcomed more than 4,000 visitors,
hosted hundreds of events and seminars with
our industry partners to enhance knowledge
in local businesses and the Lab is regularly
used by community groups such as Junior
Achievement, Code Club and Love Tech to
develop key business and digital skills in young
people at no cost.
“The Lab provides an ideal space to grow
a network of entrepreneurs, start-ups and
innovators across industries and the local
community. It’s fantastic to see the ideas and
creativity developing through this collaboration
and the positive impact it’s having in the Isle
of Man.”
The Barclays Eagle Lab offers a range of
resources including co-working space, expert
mentoring, training workshops, a fully-equipped
‘MakerSpace’ to support rapid prototype
development, and private offi ce space for
growing businesses.
Head of local corporate and SME business for
Barclays on the Isle of Man, Craig Drummond
added: “Barclays is committed to helping
entrepreneurs, businesses and the local
58 |
Elissa Morris, Barclays Eagle Lab ecosystems manager; James Wigby, CEO Akela Pet Foods;
Maria Bondegreen, Scandi Interiors by Maja; Natalie Wilson-Spratt, Barclays Eagle Lab Manager.
community to thrive and the Eagle Lab in
Douglas is an important part of this commitment
as it provides a dedicated hub where great
ideas can be nurtured to benefit the island.
“It’s been a great first year for the Eagle Lab
and we’re excited to support more business
successes stories in the future.”
Rebecca George, chief executive offi cer at
Isle of Man Chamber of Commerce, said:
“IoM Chamber has been involved with the
development of the Eagle Lab from the start
and being based there has given Chamber the
opportunity to see how it has evolved over the
past year. The Lab offers a community space
which is ideal for new business start-ups to grow
and thrive.”
Simon Pickering, head of insurance and
pensions at the Department for Enterprise’s
Finance Isle of Man, said: “I am delighted to see
the Eagle Lab flourishing after its first year in
operation. Not just helping fledging businesses
to grow but also acting as a focal point for the
wider business community, trade bodies and
associations all utilising the space for events and
seminars. “The Lab is a great example of what can
be achieved through private/public sector
involvement and working together.”