The Economic Policy Review Committee (EPRC) has recently published its report on The Department for Enterprise and the Executive Agencies.

The report examines the policy intent and effectiveness of the Department for Enterprise (DfE) Agency model after a period of almost ten years.

The DfE and the Executive Agencies were established in 2017 in place of the Department of Economic Development. The stated intentions for the creation of the Executive Agencies, which form the main context for the Committee’s evaluation, are set out in paragraph 1 of the report.

Whilst the report makes a set of recommendations requiring review and focus into activity, particularly in relation to economic development and the structure of the Agencies and DfE, it should not be taken as a wholesale review of the Department or as a full evaluation of its activity and successes over the same time period, given the Department’s broad range of activity.

The Committee is keen to stress that as a focused and objective review for Government and parliamentary consideration, the report is not a reflection on the people overseeing and assuming responsibilities and roles within the Department and Executive Agencies, which include officers and members of the business community. Rather, it represents a challenge to the policy and structural approach determined by Tynwald in respect of an important area of Government activity that has been in place for nearly ten years, at a time when the DfE is already reviewing the agency model itself.

The Committee would like to thank those who have contributed to informing the report’s findings, as well as the information provided by the DfE on behalf of a multi-layered and complex structure.

The Committee’s recommendations include the need for a more cohesive and coordinated approach to promoting the Island, as well as a proposal to establish Visit Isle of Man as a statutory Isle of Man Tourism Board.

The Committee’s full recommendations set for Tynwald consideration in July are on the Tynwald Register of Business and summarised on page 2 of the report, with the scope and background summarised on pages 1-2.

A DfE response, and an update on the review of the agency model is anticipated ahead of Tynwald consideration in a few weeks.

The 18-page report, with conclusions and additional evidence (118 pages total), is published here: https://tynwald.org.im/spfile?file=/business/opqp/sittings/20212026/2026-PP-0087.pdf

Summary of recommendations:

Recommendation 1

That the scope and purpose of the Department for Enterprise should be reviewed by an independent third party alongside future reassessment of the key purpose and implementation of the Economic Strategy.

Recommendation 2

That the Department for Enterprise should develop a more clearly defined approach for business development activity and monitoring, designed to support private sector business to an appropriate degree.

Recommendation 3

That a unified brand and place marketing strategy should be developed for the Isle of Man that articulates the Island’s value proposition and key messages for all types of business. The promotional messaging for the Island should be adapted accordingly, and this should be adopted by Government to support the endeavours of those who champion and promote the Island as part of their day-to-day operations.

Recommendation 4

That the Visit Agency should be incorporated and established as the Isle of Man Tourism Board, as a statutory board. Interest in and representation of hospitality as a sector should fall under this board. Consideration should also be given to putting other sectors under remit of the Tourism Board.

Recommendation 5

That consideration should be given to creating a cohesive, unified marketing approach responsible for promoting the Isle of Man internationally as a place to do business, a place for investment, and which supports the Island’s export businesses; as part of this, consideration should be given as to whether the Business Agency, Finance Agency and Digital Agency should continue in their current form.

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For further information contact:

Clerk to the Committee
Legislative Buildings, Douglas, IM1 3PW
Tel: (01624) 685500
Email: committees@tynwald.org.im