WHEN looking for an inspirational story in which an Isle of Man company exceeds the wildest of dreams, you’d do well to look at ManSat.
The final frontier is no barrier, only a challenge, to the space company, which holds the Isle of Man Government’s contract for orbital filing.
There’s no wonder then that ManSat’s chairman and CEO Chris Stott was recognised at the 2010 Isle of Man Newspapers Awards for Excellence ceremony with the title Business Person of the Year.
Fast forward two years and ManSat is sponsoring that very category at the seventh annual Awards, being run once again in association with RBS International.
Speaking from his Texas base, Chris said the ManSat team believes fully in the Awards and particularly this year’s aim of aligning them with the Department of Economic Development’s Where You Can initiative.
‘In the island we tend to keep our heads down and get our work done, you don’t really beat your own drum,’ said the Manxman. ‘But especially in difficult times we need to take time out to celebrate success, that’s a great example to other people.’
As someone working with a Manx company on a global scale, Chris enjoys talking about the pride he feels for his home. And that feeling of pride pervades the Awards for Excellence.
‘The island’s out there, once someone hears about the Isle of Man they never stop hearing about it because we are endemic,’ said Chris.
ManSat’s island-based finance director Ian Jarritt agreed: ‘We need to encourage people to do everything they can for the Isle of Man generally, not entirely altruistically because clearly if the Isle of Man thrives so will business.
‘It’s in everybody’s interests for it to be successful. People do react to the Awards, it’s good to recognise people who have achieved the best.’
Chris said ManSat values its association with the Awards.
‘We are honoured to do this,’ he said. ‘Like everything we do we do it for the right reasons. Supporting the Awards doesn’t help us, our customer base is in space not in the island, but it’s the right thing to do.
‘It’s an honour and a privilege.’
• This year’s Isle of Man Newspapers Awards for Excellence, in association with RBS International, will be held on November 15.
Application forms are available at {http://www.iomtoday.co.im/afe|www.iomtoday.co.im/afe}.
If you would like to find out more about what entering can do for you, contact Trudi Williamson (tjw@newsiom.co.im) or Sarah Radcliffe (sarah.radcliffe@newsiom.co.im) or 695695 for more information.