Peter Brumby represents MPES,  a Manx owned and operated company that specialises in examination based teaching and training for people working within the accountancy and other professional fields. Peter will take part in our panel, ‘Further Your Education’, which looks at the ways you can continue your professional development right here in the Isle of Man.

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Tell us about yourself!

I joined the MPES team in 2004. My professional tuition focuses on the audit based and corporate governance papers.

As a former student representative on the Island’s ACCA committee, I have a wide range of business experience including retail and financial services. My experience includes exposure to, and involvement with plc and FTSE100 companies in the UK, as well as large multinational organisations outside the UK and Manx based regulators.

Why did you decide to work in the Isle of Man?

The reason I decided to work in the Isle of Man was due to the fact that the employment and housing opportunities were less stringent than the Channel Islands, where I was living and working before I came to the Island in 1989 and coming here was preferable to returning to my native Liverpool, where job prospects then were also limited.

Heather Blackley is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Marketing and operates The Marketing Partnership, a certified study centre for CIM in the Isle of Man. Heather will take part in our panel, ‘Further Your Education’, which looks at the ways you can continue your professional development right here in the Isle of Man.

Tell us about yourself!

Having been qualified and worked in Marketing for 30 years, I am keen to share my passion for Marketing as a profession! I have lived and worked on the Isle of Man for more than 20 years and am keen to ensure others have the same opportunities in professional marketing as I had, so am committed to continuing our Isle of Man based Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM) Accredited Study Centre – this means that people starting or progressing their careers in Marketing can benefit from local face-to-face learning opportunities with other like-minded professionals through our Centre, The Marketing Partnership Limited .

I have recently developed the Isle of Man Marketing Apprenticeship Scheme, supported by Government, now entering its fourth successful year in September 2020 – this is also another viable option for Graduates seeking to enter the Marketing profession locally and has historically attracted successful local businesses to offer new Marketing roles.

Alexandra Koyfman first came to the Isle of Man in 2017 to study for her master’s degree through University College Isle of Man’s MA/MSc in Business Entrepreneurship (WBIS) Programme.

Tell us about yourself!

Through my degree, I began a work placement with PDMS Ltd., a software house in Douglas, which allowed me to lead the First Point Community Portal Project that supports people with additional needs through technology. My work earned me the Isle of Man Newspapers Awards for Excellence Young Achiever of the Year 2018 Award and a permanent role with PDMS. Today, I am an Analyst with PDMS, providing software solutions to clients around the world.

I began visiting the Island during every university break to spend time with my partner, who lives here. I became enamoured with the greenery and inescapable sea, and when the opportunity presented itself, I decided to begin my career in IT and business analysis here.

When I finished my undergraduate degree, I wanted to work in business, but I didn’t know how to get there. The Master’s in Business Entrepreneurship (WBIS) Programme was an ideal transition between academic and professional life while I gained the experience to determine what I wanted to be. This degree can support you in figuring out who you want to be when you grow up.

Gail Corrin is Higher Education Manager at University College Isle of Man, having returned to the Island in 2009. 

Tell us about yourself!

I returned to the Isle of Man in 2009 after working in Australia for 20 years in a range of personal and professional development organisations and initiatives, including the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, adventure therapy, juvenile justice and CPD consultancy. As Higher Education Manager at University College Isle of Man, I have focused on expanding the Island’s undergraduate and postgraduate offer with my specific expertise being work-based learning.

Despite the obvious attractions of Australia, the Isle of Man is not only my original ‘home’ but it also offers a unique environment where your work is visible and connected, and I feel I can make a real difference here.

Even though we are a small country there are often opportunities and activities that remain hidden – graduate employment and continuing education need to be promoted and encouraged.