External Relations

External Relations Overview

The Division is responsible for co-ordinating the Island’s relations with the UK, EU and internationally. It also ensures the prompt transmission, consideration and dissemination of all matters between the Isle of Man and the UK Ministry of Justice which is the Island’s official channel of communication with the United Kingdom Government and that adequate monitoring of EU developments is maintained.

As the field of international affairs is constantly changing, it is the role of the External Relations Division to identify, prioritise and address the key challenges the Isle of Man Government faces. Under the strategic direction of the Chief Secretary, the Division supports the Chief Minister, Council of Ministers and Isle of Man Government as a whole in achieving its main policy priorities, by ensuring that –

• the constitutional and legal structures are in place for them to achieve their goals

• we build, develop or enhance good relations with key partners, to raise the Island’s profile and protect the Island’s reputation

• the Isle of Man’s message is communicated effectively to influential key policy makers and decision takers

• the Isle of Man complies with the appropriate international standards.

The Division collaborates with all Isle of Man Government Departments, to a greater or lesser degree, to raise the Island’s profile, building on and maintaining relations with London (Ministry of Justice, Westminster, and the City of London) throughout the British Isles (BIC and Jersey/Guernsey), Brussels (EU and MEP network) throughout Europe (CPMR) as well as internationally (Washington and Honorary Representatives). Similarly, our expanded communications role sees us communicating our message all over the world.

In general terms the main functions of the Division are:-

Maintenance of Relationship with UK Government

Ensuring the prompt transmission to the Ministry of Justice of relevant material from the Isle of Man Government and ensuring the proper consideration and dissemination of material received from the Ministry of Justice.

European Union

Ensuring that adequate scrutiny of EU developments is maintained in the interests of the Island, and that information received is disseminated to appropriate Government or other agencies.

Treaties and Conventions

Ensuring that consideration is given to whether the Island should be included in relevant treaties and conventions. Co-ordination of information required to be submitted by the Island under various agreements.

Overseas Aid Committee

Providing the Secretariat for the Council of Ministers' Overseas Aid Committee.

External Relations Team

The External Relations team is as follows:

Della Fletcher, Director of External Relations;

Karen Scott, Head of Crown and External Relations Administration;

David Corlett, External Relations Manager;

Alex Powell and Anne Shimmin, External Relations Officers; and

Shelley Syme and Kayleigh Parkinson, External Relations Administration.

The Communications Unit also falls within the External Relations Division and this consists of:

Carol Hunter, Head of Communications;

Alistair Ramsay, Press and Public Relations Officer; and Richard Parslow, Communications Executive

Downloadable Documents

Isle of Man submission to the Justice Committee Inquiry (271 kb)

Format:Acrobat PDF File

Isle of Man submission to the Justice Committee Inquiry

International Identity (30 kb)

Format:Acrobat PDF File

Isle of Man International Identity Framework signed on 1st May 2007

International Personality - Statement of Intent (20 kb)

Format:Acrobat PDF File

Statement of intent by the Crown Dependencies and the UK on international personality

You will need Adobe Acrobat to download documents that are PDFs, this is available free by following this link:

Chief Secretary's Office

External Relations