Mother and daughter duo Sarah and Rachel Jarvis
Island Influencers
Our latest Island Influencer episode is a first for us—and a very special one. It’s not often we get the chance to welcome a mother and daughter together, but we felt this was a truly lovely combination. Their intertwined stories deserve to be heard in tandem. You'll meet Sarah Jarvis, who built a successful career in marketing before life threw her a devastating curveball—stage three ovarian cancer, forcing an unexpected and early retirement at age 58. Since then, Sarah has become a passionate advocate for raising awareness of ovarian cancer while navigating life with an incurable...
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Wendy Ranft-Gerber, Health and Balance
Island Influencers
In this latest episode of Island Influencers, Wendy Ranft-Gerber shares her life story from growing up in South Africa to finding a new home - and a new calling - on the Isle of Man. Wendy’s story is one of adaptability, courage, and deep compassion, spanning military service, a career in financial services, and eventually following her passion into yoga teaching and cancer wellness coaching. Along the way, she discusses pivotal life moments, including travelling the world, navigating career pivots after redundancy, and how yoga and health coaching became powerful...
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Graham Makepeace-Warne, Experienced wildlife communications and engagement professional. Head of Engagement at the Manx Wildlife Trust
Island Influencers
In this latest episode of Island Influencers, Sharon chats with Graham Makepeace-Warne, Marketing and Engagement Manager at Manx Wildlife Trust. Graham shares his fascinating journey from a corporate marketing career in Manchester to finding a deeper sense of purpose in conservation on the Isle of Man. He reflects on the pivotal moment that made him rethink his career and commit to protecting nature, as well as why the Isle of Man has become the perfect place for him to live and work. Graham discusses the incredible work being done by the Manx Wildlife Trust, including the Aviva...
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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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