Employees of Old Mutual International have raised more than £8,500 towards the Friends of the Hyperbaric Chamber Isle of Man’s new facility fund.

Staff from the Onchan-based company raised £8,512.17 for the facility during 2015 and this has been doubled by Old Mutual Group’s match funding initiative, bringing the company’s total donation to more than £17,000.

Old Mutual International Communications Manager, Wendy Ranft-Gerber said:“It’s fantastic that our staff have raised the funds that will directly impact on the charity and indeed on those who will benefit from the new facility.  The funds we raised could not have been done without the efforts and support of all the staff at Old Mutual International.”

She added: “Everyone on the island can benefit from the Hyperbaric Chamber and it touches so many lives. We’re delighted to be able to play our part and help make a difference to the future of our island’s health.”

The Hyperbaric Medicine Facility on Peel Road, Douglas, has been serving the Isle of Man for more than 30 years, offering hyperbaric oxygen therapy to enhance healing for a range of injuries, disorders and conditions, as well as providing emergency recompression for divers.

While hyperbaric treatment is usually only available privately in the British Isles, it is free to Isle of Man residents at the local facility. It currently has two functioning chambers serving around 90 appointments a day, but with referrals from GPs and consultants increasing, waiting lists for certain conditions are growing.

The Friends of the Hyperbaric Chamber Isle of Man charity hopes to raise £674,000 towards investing in an additional chamber and relocating to a bigger, better unit which could accommodate up to 250 patients per day.

Hyperbaric Chamber operator and fundraiser, Debs Barron, said: “We are improving people’s lives, helping patients to get better faster, but at the moment we can’t offer treatment for certain conditions because we don’t have the capacity.

“Everybody deserves to get better. We need to get people in as soon as the injury occurs, but if we’re busy we can’t offer the space.”

Old Mutual International’s donation has enabled the organisation to pay the second half of the deposit for the new 25-manchamber, on top of £15,000 already raised by the Isle of Man public. This has now been secured and the manufacturers are currently making alterations to accommodate wheelchair users.

£2,000 from Old Mutual International’s donation will go towards paying for a new compressor and other equipment required.

Once all the required funds for the new facility are raised, the project would take five months to complete from sod-cutting to opening the doors to patients. One of the existing chambers will also be relocated to the new unit once it is operational.

Every year, Old Mutual International gives employees the opportunity to put forward a local charity that they wish to support. Over the last twelve months, staff have been involved in various fundraising initiatives for the fund including cake bakes, dress down Fridays and a casino evening, along with the company’s annual ‘Oscars’ raffle.

One employee who has personally benefitted from hyperbaric therapy is receptionist Val Crowe. She received treatment at the Hyperbaric Chamber following an operation on her shoulder in May 2014 and has since supported many of the fundraising efforts.

She said: “If it hadn’t been for the facility, I wouldn’t have been able to return to work so quickly. I feel I owe a lot to the Hyperbaric Chamber.”

Browne Craine & Co employee Louis Schwalbert has passed the International Advanced Certificate in Compliance with the International Compliance Association (“ICA”).

“I’d like to congratulate Louison passing the Advanced Certificate,” said Basil Bielich, director at Browne Craine. “The world of compliance is becoming ever more complex and it is vital that businesses like ours can navigate our clients through the changes they are likely to experience. Louis passing these exams is important for the whole firm as we need well qualified staff who understand the complexities of compliance so that our clients can operate as efficiently as possible. Louis worked hard to achieve this and we are all very proud, well done.”

The qualification, which aims to explain the regulatory framework, regulation in practice and key compliance issues such as Financial Crime and Money Laundering, was assessed on an assignment piece and an exam.

“I was really happy when I received my results,” said Louis. “It’s a nerve-wracking time waiting for them to arrive! I’d like to thank Browne Craine for supporting me through the Advanced Certificate and I’m looking forward to studying the International Diploma in Compliance in the near future.”

“It’s really important that we train our staff not only for the development of the firm but for their own personal development which allows our employees to grow,” continued Basil.“Most of our staff have been with Browne Craine for many years which shows the benefit of investing in our people.”

Suzanne Tucker, a Hearing Care Assistant at Hidden Hearing in Onchan is celebrating exam success after an intensive and rigorous training programme.

Throughout the six-month course Suzanne attended a dedicated training facility in Derbyshire every week. The programme, which condenses the equivalent of a university degree into this short period, is an intense and challenging experience.

As well as academic, classroom-based sessions, to ensure an in-depth knowledge of the subject, Suzanne also participated in practical, hands-on experience and worked alongside expert Audiologist Elaine Norris, her mentor at the Onchan branch of Hidden Hearing.

The final exams for the qualification highlighted the complexity of this profession, consisting of written papers on Anatomy and Physiology, Acoustics and Hearing, Hearing aid Technology, and Professional Practise/Care and Rehabilitation as well as a full day of practical tests.

Suzanne, who grew up in Laxey, passed with flying colours and is now qualified with an ‘Award in Hearing Care Assistant Competence approved by The British Society of Hearing Aid Audiologists’ and registered with the British Society of Hearing Aid Audiologists and Health and Care Professions Counsel.

Commenting on the qualification, Suzanne said: ‘The course and exams were really hard work, but extremely rewarding and interesting. I feel really proud of this achievement and am now fully prepared to deliver the high standard of excellent service Hidden Hearing customers expect.’

Suzanne joined Hidden Hearing’s branch in Village Walk, in Onchan, in 2013 as a temporary part-time receptionist. In just a short time, Suzanne realised her passion for the job and the satisfaction from helping her clients so accepted a permanent role as Branch Coordinator. Hidden Hearing puts great value on training and development, with a dedicated campus in the UK open to all staff, and encouraged Suzanne to develop her skills and expertise.

Following the exam success Suzanne has been promoted to Hearing Care Assistant and is now responsible for client after care, including fitting, fine-tuning and servicing hearing aids, full audiometry and screening appointments and check-ups.

Suzanne continued: ‘I am enjoying every part of my new role especially seeing how the work I do really makes a difference to new and existing clients. I am really grateful to the company and Elaine for recognising my flare for this profession and giving me the opportunity and support to gain these qualifications.’

Mentor and local expert Audiologist Elaine said: ‘We are delighted with how well Suzanne has done with her exams; she’s shown a really broad and in-depth knowledge of audiology, as well as her skill and flare for the practical side of her new role. The patience and care she shows is fantastic and ensures that our clients are given a first rate service.’

Funding from Barclays’ community investment programme has supported the appointment of a new studio engineer and the introduction of a new qualification at local music charity Soundcheck.

Barclays donated more than £9,000 to assist the charity in employing Luke Williams who will work with local solo artists and bands in the charity’s recording studioto produce CDs and make videos for YouTube to help raise their profiles in the local music scene.

Mr Williams has been a member of Soundcheck for eight yearsbut has been volunteering in the recording studio for the last four years.

Barclays’ donation will also give the charity’s members the opportunity to develop their musical skills through the Level 2 Open Awards qualification.

The awards offer broad and flexible learning across a wide range of creative disciplines. The qualifications combine practical experience with theoretical knowledge and members will have the opportunity to select specific areas of interest, such as stage management and sound recording, to help them gain specialist skills.

Soundcheck is a local charity which promotes young musicians in the islands by producing regular live events and studio recordings. It is an Isle of Man Government Department of Education and Children- run project that operates out of the Douglas Youth Arts Centre, Castletown, Ramsey and Peel Youth Centre’s.

“Soundcheck is a place for young people to express their creativity through music,” said Mr Williams.

“Since becoming a registered charity we have been able to improve our facilities which have made a big difference to our members who come to us for advice and support with organising gigs, recording and as a place to rehearse.”

“This donation from Barclays means we can provide even more support for young musicians in the island and give them the opportunity to gain relevant and valuable qualifications which is vital to help them achieve their ambitions in the music industry.”

Ian Pilley, Barclays Isle of Man, said: “Barclays is committed to helping young people reach their goals and fulfil their potential. The work that Luke will be doing as part of the training and support project at Soundcheck will be of huge benefit to young musicians in the Isle of Man so we’re very pleased to support him.”

Mike Fayle is managing director of the audit, tax and advisory firm KPMG, a leading professional service provider and key employer on the Isle of Man. Business 365 met with Mike recently to talk about his career of over 40 years – and his enduring passion for both his job and his Island home.

As a child, what did you want to do when you grew up?

MF: I didn’t have a burning ambition.  My parents ran a boarding house at the time and when I left school at 18 they arranged for me to meet the only two professional people they had contact with – Jack Fargher, the accountant, and Jack Corrin, the lawyer (later Deemster Corrin). I never did meetDeemster Corrin at that time as Jack Fargher offered me a traineeship and I accepted immediately!

What led you to join KPMG?

MF: I stayed with J G Fargher throughout the huge period of growth in financial services in the Isle of Man in the late 1970s and early 1980s. J G Fargher merged with Peat, Marwick and Mitchell in 1987, which was later to become KPMG on the Island, so in a sense I have never actually moved!

You’ve been with KPMG for 30 years now – what has kept you there for so long?

MF: Accountancy has a reputation for being boring, but I have never found it so, particularly on the Isle of Man! There are just so many different aspects to the business. I came up through the auditor route but KPMG also deals with tax, insolvency and advisory services.I am now a specialist in restructuring and forensic services.  Changes in regulation and the way businesses grow mean that new things come up all the time and we’re always looking for new answers.

How has the business changed over the past three decades?

MF: In the early days, KPMG dealt almost exclusively with audit and a little tax work but as time went on there was a positive decision to offer a full range of services. The breadth and size of the market has changed pretty dramatically. Not only is there more diversity in terms of banking, insurance and funds but we have burgeoning sectors such as shipping, yachting and eGaming. There is a whole plethora of niche activities going on and so much of our work today is in an advisory capacity than in the past.

Now you are in the hot seat as Managing Director, what are your aims and what changes would you like to bring about?

MF: Any changes are likely to be enhancements rather than fundamental alterations to what we do and how we do it. I think one of my most important roles will be to balance the need for our people to have broad experience across different industry sectors while developing the deep knowledge and skills required to provide solutions. So extending the training and developing our staff will be a key focus.

New recruits are vital to any business. How does KPMG ensure it gets the best and what do you do to nurture home-grown talent?

MF: It’s not always easy to find the right skill sets on the Island, but we are fortunate that we get a lot ofinterest at graduate level and a very high proportion of our intake are Isle of Man students. At a more senior level, there are simply not enough skilled people to go round. Trainees, understandably, want to spread their wings when they qualify. At a higher level we have quite an international presence. This is great, not just from a diversity point of view, but also because it brings new blood into the business and with it experience from different jurisdictions. The age range across the business now is wider than it has ever been which makes it important for us to understand what attracts younger people such as travel opportunities and career breaks.

KPMG operates around the world. Do you get the opportunity to promote the Isle of Man business at an international level?

MF: There aren’t many parts of the world where KPMG doesn’t reach and whenever we go or work with partners overseas we actively promote the Isle of Man just as much, if not more, than ourselves. It’s a philosophy of ours that when the Island benefits from good publicity, so do we. I think the Island is much better known and much more appreciated in the international arena than it has ever been.

The traditional financial services sector that we might associate with KPMG seems to be waning – where do you see emerging areas of business?

MF: I’m not convinced the financial services sector is waning – and it has always been challenging! Banking reform and the financial difficulties post-2008 have had a big impact so maybe the path isn’t quite as straight as before. But the Government’s drive to diversify the economy is really bearing fruit – eGaming has been a major success and the focus on technology, whilst constrained by resources, has opened up new areas such as crowdfunding and cryptocurrencies. Building on the existing high value manufacturing base also has great potential.

Staff at KPMG have been raising money for the Alzheimer’s Society over the past year. How important do you think it is for businesses to support their local communities?

MF: I hate the CSR acronym and the implication that supporting a charity is almost an extension of a business’s marketing activity. You should do it because you think it is the right thing to do and I’m really proud of the commitment our staff have given to their selected charities. This is the fifth year we have focussed on supporting a Charity of the Year in particular and we concentrate on raising as much as possible for that cause.  So far we have raised over £100,000 in that time.

How would you describe your management style?

MF: I definitely like to make decisions and get on with things. I try to demonstrate an inclusive style where everyone feels they can contribute and don’t get overridden but I would much prefer to decide something and do it really well. Procrastination or inaction is not a choice!

What is the best piece of advice you have been given in your career?

MF: “Always leave something in deal for the next person.” It was said to me about twenty years agoand it really resonated as a way of approaching and managing business relationships.

What would you say is your greatest achievement to date?

MF: My family comes first, of course, and I am very proud of our son Thomas. I am also enormously proud of KPMG and how we work together. I am mindful that we have around 120 employees and their families dependent on us,which is quite a responsibility, but I love being part of such a successful business.

What are your interests outside of work?

MF: We have a lovely garden, which takes up a lot of spare time. I also enjoy skiing – I came to it quite late in life so I am still quite passionate about it – as well as fishing, a little bit of art collecting and all things heritage. I have been Chair of the Friends of Manx National Heritage for a number of years, which I really enjoy.

If you didn’t live in the Isle of Man, where would you like to be?

MF: I have never really longed to live anywhere else and didn’t feel the need to go away to the Caribbean or other exotic locations after getting my professional qualifications. I am visiting Denmark soon and feel the ‘cool’ Scandinavian way of life might have some attraction to it. I certainly couldn’t live anywhere too hot!

Tell us something about yourself that we wouldn’t know?

MF: I’m not keen on bright lighting. My office is often described as ‘The Cave’!

If there was something about your life you could change, what would it be?

MF: It sounds corny but there’s probably nothing I would change. I’ve been enormously fortunate. I was very lucky in my early professional life to be articled to J G Fargherand then to be taken under the wing of Jack Morris, both old school accountants. They taught me everything and really set me up for my whole career.

Gary Lamb became Manx Telecom CEO in July 2015. He joined the company as Finance Director in 2011 and played a crucial role during its transition to become a plc in February 2014. The Island’s leading communications company supports more than 4,000 business customers, and with almost 300 staff it is also one of the biggest employers here. Add to that the fact that its investment in telecoms infrastructure has played a major role in establishing and sustaining the Isle of Man’s reputation as a world class business centre, and you get an idea of just how important Gary’s role is – not just to Manx Telecom’s employees, customers and shareholders, but also to ‘IOMPLC’. He talks exclusively to Business 365 about his fi rst six months in the hot seat, and his long-term ambitions for the company.

What do you want to achieve as Manx Telecom CEO?

GL: Manx Telecom is hugely respected for the work it does in the local community, and for the services and products it provides for the people and businesses in the Isle of Man. I want to build on this and continue the success it has enjoyed for many, many, years. We have a great foundation for continued success.

How would you describe your management style?

GL: I strongly believe in the saying ‘lead by example’, and believe this applies to me, my colleagues, and our company. My management style is centred on encouraging everyone in the business to lead by example and be the best that they can be.

Why do you think Manx Telecom has been successful over the years?

GL: I’d say it’s because of our track record of bringing the best technology – often well before other jurisdictions and through significant investment in infrastructure over many years – and backing that up with high levels of service. We should never lose sight of the fact that Manx Telecom is a long running Isle of Man success story, we’ve been consistently successful over many years and can trace our history back over 125 years. Not many companies on the Island can say that – and it’s my job to make sure that this proud history continues.

What difference has it made – and what difference will it make – now that Manx Telecom is a public company?

GL: We have had different owners over the years and thrived under all of them. But I would like to think that we have now entered a period in which we have more control over our destiny. If I had to single out just two things that becoming a plchas changed, it would be the level scrutiny we are under, and the degree of transparency we need to provide. We now have shareholders and come under the spotlight from them, and from analysts. We need to set out our strategy and deliver on our promises, there’s no hiding place – and that’s got to be a good thing. There are other advantages, such as access to capital for expansion and investment if we need it, plus being a quoted company gives us an extra degree of credibility when it comes to dealing with business partners.

How important is Manx Telecom to the Isle of Man?

GL: The world is rapidly becoming an ‘e’ economy. In the Isle of Man I believe we play a leading role in making that happen. We continue to drive growth in our domestic economy and attract inward investment to the Island. I believe Manx Telecom is a gateway and an enabler for a better IOMPLC.

What would a future Manx Telecom look like? What’s the vision?

GL: I’d say it’s because of our track record of bringing the best technology – often well before other jurisdictions and through significant investment in infrastructure over many years – and backing that up with high levels of service. We should never lose sight of the fact that Manx Telecom is a long running Isle of Man success story, we’ve been consistently successful over many years and can trace our history back over 125 years. Not many companies on the Island can say that – and it’s my job to make sure that this proud history continues.

And finally, what does success look like for Manx Telecom?

GL: I’ve got a great team around me at every level. Our greatest strength is the people who work for Manx Telecom – and it’s my job to lead the company, set the strategy with the Directors, and to say to say to all stakeholders: “This is who we are, this is what we do, and this is where we are going.” During my time as CEO I want Manx Telecom to be a company that continues to grow and generates cash to invest in the Isle of Man and pay a good dividend to our shareholders. Equally important is the continued expansion of our range of products and services, delivered by our skilled and motivated workforce. If we can achieve this, then that we would have succeeded.