Local businessman recognised for his long-term service to Government's Micro Business Grant Scheme

Following the completion of his final course in August 2018, Ian Moncrief-Scott has been recognised for his long-term performance providing both training and support to participants of the Department for Enterprise’s Micro Business Grant Scheme (formerly known as the Small Business Start-up Scheme).

The Scheme, designed to give start-ups and early stage small businesses mentoring and financial support of up to £6,000, also includes an extensive business training course. The training helps applicants consider their business idea, determine the viability of the business and develop their business plan.

The Scheme forms part of the Department’s initiative to encourage growth and diversification of the Island’s economy and was further enhanced by improvements announced in early November.

Ian has provided training for the Scheme since 2005 and personally designed and delivered the training model, which since 2011 has also included the provision of recommendations to the Department for effective matching of prospective entrepreneurs with business mentors.

Laurence Skelly MHK, Minister for Enterprise, commented:

‘In this 13 year period, Ian has taught over 2250 potential entrepreneurs and delivered 146 training courses. In a recent attendee survey average delegate satisfaction over the entire period was 94.5%, with 80.2% of all attendees completing both parts of the course. This success is a direct result of Ian’s contribution and continued commitment to the Scheme.

The Department is delighted to celebrate this significant milestone with Ian and to present him with a Certificate of Recognition for his outstanding service.’

Ian Moncrief-Scott commented:

‘It has been a privilege to have provided the tools to help so many people either decide to move forward into business or realise that self-employment at that time was not right for them.  Throughout the years I have been extremely fortunate to have had help from many people and organisations and I would like to sincerely thank them all.

I would like to mention three specific people for their special trust and confidence. One is the late Professor Roger Carey, Principal of the former Isle of Man International Business School for having the vision to tender for the contract in the first place, Helen Cowley, my back-up trainer and Neil Wilson, Department for Enterprise for his longstanding support.

I believe that the huge success of the Micro Business Grant Scheme is due to the unique platform that the Isle of Man and the Department for Enterprise in particular, has fostered to bring together training, education, advice and financial assistance into one accessible, composite package.’

Ian has over fifty years of broad business experience, mostly gained at international level. As a former senior executive for a leading global publishing and information technology company, he contributed to numerous client-facing investment, procurement and outsourcing initiatives worldwide. In addition to his international career, Ian has created and participated in a number of small businesses in the Isle of Man and the UK.

To find out more about the Micro Business Grant Scheme visit www.iomdfenterprise.im/micro