New chapter for Deloitte

The new offices of Deloitte have been opened by the Chief Minister, Tony Brown MHK.

The reception marking the practice’s relocation to The Old Court House, Athol Street, Douglas, was hosted by Deloitte Isle of Man partner in charge Sarah Sanders, who was joined by the firm’s head of offshore, Rick Garrard.

Addressing the guests, who included Treasury Minister Allan Bell MHK, Mr Garrard said the new offices were a symbol of Deloitte’s long-term confidence in the Isle of Man as a well-regulated, transparent offshore financial centre and he praised Mrs Sanders and her team for developing the practice’s profile within the local business community.

Mr Garrard also said he had worked with Mrs Sanders for the past 10 years to deliver three main objectives: the first was to ensure the Isle of Man market received maximum benefit from the specialist services delivered by the Isle of Man office in conjunction with its integrated UK firm; the second, to ensure the Isle of Man office played its full part in the Isle of Man community, recognising that Mrs Sanders had led the firm in this respect for some time; and the third was to ensure the local office and its surroundings reflected the quality of the Deloitte brand.

In her reply Mrs Sanders charted the course of the practice from the mid-1980s when it was located in Nelson Street, then Bank of Scotland House and Grosvenor House, before moving to The Old Court House, the most prestigious building in Douglas, in May this year.

She said it had been important that the move ‘made the right statement’, namely one that reflected the firm’s growth and success over the past 10 years and the quality of the Deloitte brand. In her closing remarks she echoed her colleague Rick Garrard’s comments by saying that relocating to The Old Court House had demonstrated Deloitte’s confidence in and commitment to the Isle of Man.

Before unveiling a plaque to commemorate the opening the Chief Minister acknowledged Deloitte’s investment and confidence in the Isle of Man in what he termed were ‘challenging’ economic times. Mr Brown added that with its diverse economy and government and the private sector working together, the Island was well placed to face the challenges of the future – a future in which firms such as Deloitte would play a vital role.