Kasia Chudy, founder of the Natural Animal Clinic
Island Influencers
This week Sharon chats with Kasia Chudy, a veterinary surgeon and the founder of the Natural Animal Clinic in Ballasalla, where she and her team bring a fresh and holistic approach to animal care. Originally from Poland, Kasia studied veterinary medicine at the University of Environmental and Life Sciences in Wrocław. She moved to the UK before discovering the Isle of Man and making the island her home. The Natural Animal Clinic specialises in alternative treatments such as acupuncture and herbal medicine, helping animals heal in ways that go beyond traditional veterinary care. In...
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Deborah Heather, Chief Executive Officer of Visit Isle of Man
Island Influencers
In this episode of Island Influencers, we welcome Deborah Heather, CEO of Visit Isle of Man to share her story and ambitious plans for the island. Deborah’s early childhood was in Durham, and at nine, she moved to Hong Kong. Her experiences abroad and back in the UK shaped her perspective and led to a successful career in the hotel industry, ultimately guiding her to her current role. She discusses the ambitious target of attracting 500,000 visitors by 2032 and the innovative strategies her team is using to achieve this goal. From overcoming challenges like seasonality and...
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Vicki Hotchkiss, founder of Compass Strategy and a non-executive director for the Isle of Man Football Association
Island Influencers
This special International Women’s Day episode comes a little later than planned due to illness, but it’s worth the wait! Island Influencer Vicki Hotchkiss comes from a long line of inspirational women and continues to break barriers for future generations. As the Founder of Compass Strategy and a non-executive director for the Isle of Man Football Association, Vicki shares her personal and professional story—from growing up on the Isle of Man and travelling the world to building an extensive career in financial services, project management, and leadership. We explore her...
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Jason Bissell, Global AI & Data Executive, Strategic Advisor, and Chair of the UNESCO Biosphere Isle of Man Board
Island Influencers
In this episode of Island Influencers, I sit down with the incredible Jason Bissell, Global AI & Data Executive, Strategic Advisor, and Chair of the UNESCO Biosphere Isle of Man Board. From a small village in Somerset to leading global AI, tech, and data companies, Jason's career path and life story are nothing short of inspiring. We talk about how his early experiences, including the influence of his stepfather, shaped his work ethic and drive. Jason shares insights from his pioneering work in AI, data analytics, and virtual reality, reflecting on the evolution of these industries and his...
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Anne Harrison co-owner of Wine Down Ltd - Restaurant and Wine Merchant
Island Influencers
This week, Sharon records live from the vibrant and cosy setting of Wine Down, the Isle of Man’s cherished restaurant and wine shop, with Anne Harrison, its co-founder. Years before opening the doors to Wine Down, Anne thought of the name while out on a run—where she does all her best thinking—and dreamed of one day owning her own business. That vision became a reality when she partnered with the talented chef Roy Macfarlane, the other half of Wine Down, to create this unique hybrid concept. From her early start working in German vineyards (with her Dad) as a teenager to navigating the...
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Sarah Hickey, Ecologist & Peatland and Upland Carbon Officer for the Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture (DEFA)
Island Influencers
In this episode of Island Influencers, Sharon welcomes Sarah Hickey, the Peatland and Upland Carbon Officer for the Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture (DEFA). Sarah shares her passion for conservation, discusses her career path, and sheds light on her critical work and the significance of peatland restoration on the Isle of Man. We delve into Sarah's story, shaped by a love for the outdoors nurtured by inspiring teachers and outdoor education programmes. We also explore Sarah's bold decision to dedicate a day each week to volunteering with the Manx Wildlife Trust. ...
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John Webster, Chairman, Manx Technology Group
Island Influencers
This week’s Island Influencers podcast features John Webster, Chairman of Manx Technology Group. From his early days growing up near Liverpool and spending summers on the Isle of Man, to becoming an accomplished economist, entrepreneur, and leader in both public and private sectors. John has been a key figure in shaping the Isle of Man’s economic landscape. During the 1970s and 1980s, he played a crucial role in establishing the island’s finance sector, laying the groundwork for its modern-day success. Transitioning to the private sector, John co-founded prominent businesses, including...
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Dr Karen Wilson, Founder of Mannin Doctors Ltd
Island Influencers
In the inaugural episode of Island Influencers for 2025, Sharon chats with Dr. Karen Wilson, who shares her remarkable life story from growing up in Glasgow to settling on the Isle of Man and founding Mannin Doctors, the island's first private healthcare practice, while detailing the challenges she faced, the successes she achieved, and her vision for creating patient-centred, accessible healthcare. Karen has excelled in various roles, including GP, motorsports medic, and hospice doctor. She reflects on the influence of her pioneering mother, one of the few female doctors in post-war...
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Island Influencer Amy Howse, founder of Soundology, Sound Therapist/Artist, Yoga Teacher & former Speech & Language Therapist
Island Influencers
Our latest Island Influencer Amy Howse, grew up in Weston-super-Mare and started exploring the world on her own at 19. Her adventures and curiosity inspired her to pursue a career in Speech & Language Therapy (SLT) while also fueling her passion for yoga and sound therapy. Through Soundology, she uses sound therapy to encourage emotional healing and support mental health. Her approach now includes combining sound with nature, especially in her role as the Biosphere Artist in Residence with the Manx Wildlife Trust. In addition to sharing her story, Amy offers practical advice for new...
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Chris Gregory, Chief Executive Officer, Isle of Play
Island Influencers
This week's Island Influencer is Chris Gregory, Chief Executive of Isle of Play, a charity dedicated to promoting, providing, and advocating for every child on the Isle of Man to fulfil their ‘Right to Play.’ Chris was born and raised in Newton-le-Willows, a small town situated between Wigan, Warrington, and St. Helens. Growing up in a hard-working, working-class family, he witnessed firsthand the challenges his parents faced in providing for the family. Their perseverance and dedication instilled in Chris a strong work ethic and values that have shaped his career and approach to life. In...
info_outlineIn this latest episode, I'm excited to welcome Island Influencer Carol Ann Kinley-Smith, an extraordinary force in criminology, forensic science, and investigative security.
Carol Ann is committed to leveraging her diverse experiences to enrich society. She brings a wealth of expertise from her extensive career, operating at the highest levels in both investigative and intelligence capacities.
Originally from the Isle of Man, Carol Ann returned from the UK in 2021 after a distinguished career that included heading Corporate Security and Investigations at the BBC and leading the Royalty Protection Command Team within the Metropolitan Police Service. Her roles have ranged from safeguarding the British Royal Family to spearheading teams assessing threats to high-profile figures.
Currently, Carol Ann shares her wealth of knowledge as a lecturer at University College, where she teaches Forensic Science and Criminology. Her dedication to empowering students with industry insights promises to inspire future generations of professionals.
Carol Ann's academic achievements are remarkable, especially as she admits she wasn't academically inclined during her school years. She earned a Distinction in an MSc in Legal and Criminological Psychology from Cumbria University. Her dissertation, which has recently been published and focuses on the experiences of policewomen navigating menopause, underscores her strong advocacy for women's support and resilience in demanding professional settings.
Here is episode 111 with Island Influencer with Carol Ann Kinley-Smith.