Our story
Finance Isle of Man is an Executive Agency of the Department for Enterprise, acting as a key decision-making and advisory body supporting the Government’s ambition for long-term economic prosperity for the sector. Our purpose is to promote and develop the Isle of Man’s significant financial and professional services industry, ensuring its recognition as an international business centre of excellence.
Our focus is on supporting South African businesses, investors, and innovators as they grow globally. The Isle of Man offers an attractive jurisdiction for companies expanding into European, UK, and other international markets, alongside a flexible and robust framework for protecting intellectual property. We’re particularly focused on emerging South African SMEs and the next generation of business leaders, wealth creators, and investors, helping them navigate the complexity of regulation, currency, and tax to build internationally scalable businesses.
MAKING AN IMPACT
In 2021, a group of private companies from the Isle of Man came together to visit South Africa and expand business relationships. This turned into a twice-a-year trip that ran for five years. One of our largest Isle of Man companies now has an office in Cape Town with over 40 people, whilst many others have set up representative offices or agents.
In 2025, we welcomed the Johannesburg Business School to the Isle of Man, opening talks around collaboration with University College Isle of Man. Beyond business, the connection has been genuinely personal; we even had a Manx man finish in the Top 10 at a Cape Town Park Run in 2025.
the lekker connection
South Africa has one of the most vibrant and sophisticated entrepreneurial ecosystems on the African continent, producing world-class founders who build globally competitive businesses. The Lekker Network’s approach to connecting South Africans wherever they are and providing meaningful opportunities is what drew us in.
We’re not interested in purely promotional sponsorships. We want to contribute meaningfully to the South African ecosystem, even where it exists in other countries, by supporting platforms where we can share genuine value and build lasting relationships.
Location
Vision for South Africa
We want to see South Africans build even more world-class businesses that grow locally and eventually expand internationally. One of our core goals is to support South African businesses, investors, and innovators as they grow across borders.
Fun Facts
Office tradition: Quirky office Christmas party and rugby banter
Team saying: “‘n Boer maak ‘n plan. Lekker.”
What keeps us energised: Coffee, political curveballs, and sports banter
Our Services
We are a trusted partner in navigating the complexities of an internationally expanding business, supporting founders in building solid, internationally scalable businesses.
Being a guide and facilitator for creating unique offshore structures and investments on the Isle of Man
Connecting South Africans and their businesses who operate or want to operate between SA, the UK, the EU, and the Isle of Man through understanding that globally mobile lives and businesses require planning and a long-term, holistic view that constantly has to be reviewed and adapted.
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The Isle of Man is a truly unique living and working environment where the global finance community can thrive and prosper. International advisors and investors can feel confident they are doing business in a forward-thinking and well-regulated international finance centre. The Isle of Man has a pro-business government that strives to create an environment for businesses to flourish and strong partnerships with the private sector that draw on the Island’s expertise, creativity, and connections. Strong links, physical infrastructure, and technical facilities enable businesses to operate, develop, and deliver to their customers worldwide.
our vision & values
More than 35 South African businesses currently have a footprint on the island, including previous winners of our Innovation Challenge. Sustainability matters deeply to us. The Isle of Man was the first, and remains one of only two, jurisdictions designated as a whole-nation UNESCO Biosphere, attracting founders who build with long-term impact in mind.
Guided by our mission to drive the enhancement of future products, policies, and the promotion of the Island as an international financial centre, we facilitate collaboration between Government, Regulator, and Industry. From company setup to legal and financial services, we act as a facilitator between business and government, helping founders navigate the process with confidence, before they face urgent structuring challenges.
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