Isle of Man makes retail financial services appointment

Simon Pickering will take on the role of business development manager, retail financial services, at the Isle of Man Government’s Department of Economic Development.

John Spellman, director of financial services, said: “this is a new role which has been created in acknowledgment of the evolving landscape for financial services in the Isle of Man as set out in the Island’s economic plan for the future, Vision2020.  It reinforces the Isle of Man Government’s commitment to promoting its financial and professional services sector, which represents over a third of our economy employing nearly 7,000 people.”

Pickering joins the department from MBL Financial Aid, where he has been managing director since 2010.

He said: “I’m looking forward to the challenges and responsibilities that this new role will bring. I will be working closely with local industry to further develop the Island’s world class offering as an International Business Centre with a successful and well-respected financial services industry. Furthermore, I will build on the Isle of Man’s existing reputation as a place where retail and sophisticated investors can place their money with confidence, with experts they can trust and in an environment which meets their needs.”