External Relations

External Relations Overview

The Crown and External Relations Division builds productive networks and positive relationships throughout relevant international communities. Under the strategic direction of the Chief Secretary and director, the division is responsible for advising on the constitutional and international obligations which underpin the Isle of Man’s external relations in addition to important matters of associated policy and strategy.

It is vital that the Island builds and maintains strong international relationships. It is our role to support this aim through robust and proactive engagement with the United Kingdom, particularly the UK Ministry of Justice (MoJ). The MoJ is the Island’s official channel of communication with the UK Government, the European Union and its member states, key international targets and many other diverse external bodies.

To support these relationships we have an important role in improving international awareness of the Isle of Man. We are also responsible for the delivery of a range of important public services which include all passport, nationality and immigration matters, elections, judicial appointments and the public activities provided by Government House.

The Government Communication Service, created in 2014, has brought media and public relations staff together from across government to provide a centralised professional service for all departments. The service manages communications outreach to internal and external stakeholders, in addition to domestic and international audiences; and coordinates public relations and promotion work across Government, ensuring that messaging is consistent and reflects the themes of the Programme for Government.

International affairs

As the field of international affairs is constantly changing, it is the role of the Crown and External Relations Division to identify, prioritise and address the key challenges faced by the Chief Minister, Council of Ministers and Isle of Man Government as a whole, 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 as well as internationally (Washington). 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.

International Development Fund

The External Relations Team is responsible for the administration of the Isle of Man Government's International Development Fund, in accordance with the policy of the Council of Ministers and at the direction of the Cabinet Office Political Group.

External Relations Team

The External Relations Team is as follows:

Peter Boxer, Executive Director, Crown & External Relations
Sam McCauley , Head of External Relations Team
Anne Shimmin, External Relations Manager Policy & Legislation
Laura Stanley, Acting External Relations Policy Manager
Tess Joughin, External Relations Executive Officer
James Skelly, External Relations Officer

Government Communication Service

The Government Communication Service also sits within the Crown and External Relations Division and consists of:

Liz Aelberry, Head of Government Communications
Annie Heap, Communications Executive (Department of Education, Sport and Culture and the Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture)
Jonathan Davies, Internal Communications Manager
Charles Hunt, Graphic Designer
Joe Caine, Communications Assistant
Stephen Parry, Communications Executive (Department of Infrastructure and The Treasury)
Marian Kenny, Communications Executive (Department of Health and Social Care)