Guests from industry, business, technology, education, agriculture, creative sector, the environment, hospitality and wellbeing, all gathered at Building 41 earlier this month to celebrate the launch of Phase One of the Isle of Wight’s own collaborative online portal.
From a vision that started during Covid and shared with an extensive local audience of opinion formers, Connected Wight, is an independent collaborative online portal like no other, and developed in response to needs expressed during those consultative sessions.
A hub of nine carefully connected sectors
The portal stands alone – it does not compete or conflict with any other Isle of Wight websites and is becoming a hub of nine carefully connected sectors that proudly showcases and represents our Island…it’s their celebration.
It reminds Islanders of where they live and what they have in abundance. And for those who might want to live, work, invest and grow here, it shines a light on life, culture, creativity, innovation and talent within a beautiful, inspirational UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.
Highlighting local achievements
The focus for the content is to highlight local achievement across all aspects of Island life.
Connected Wight has access to world-class contributors, written and visual content that bring this glorious place to life for all – at the same time unlocking the societal and economic potential of this remarkable piece of geography.
Edwards: Driven by people and place, not profit
The vision for Connected Wight is led by the Co-Founders, Barnaby Edwards, Brian Marriott, Simon Dover and Stephen Izatt.
Barnaby, MD of the Garlic Farm said,
“The portal is the ambition of the ‘Island Identity’ CIC, which is driven by people and place and not profit. The reach of this not-for-profit Community Interest Company compliments the awareness driven by our strong tourism, export, and environmental sectors, building further collaboration between all the Island has to offer. The portal and associated communications platforms are enabled and supported by a committed group of volunteers, local brands with mainland presence, and a growing group of people who saw and are seizing, opportunities the Island has to offer.”
Izatt: A powerful tool for with connecting people who could deliver a positive impact
Stephen, Director of Venturesouth and Filmwight, says,
“For people interested in investing in Island projects, those looking to set up businesses or move here to take jobs, there was nowhere that gave a complete picture of the Isle of Wight, as we love it.
“Now there is, and it’s a powerful tool for connecting with people who could deliver a positive impact on our place, economy and community.”
Dover: ConnectedWight sets out to capture that, slightly off-beat world
Simon Dover, a Creative consultancy owner and Island born-and-bred also said,
“I’ve worked most of my career ‘off-Island’. When I joined this project, I was amazed at the collective will to create something that showed the Island from every perspective – to break down the traditionally held opinions of what the Isle of Wight is. To be honest, views that I was, perhaps, guilty of holding.
“There is so much pride, passion, and innovation on display everywhere. Often from the most surprising places – ConnectedWight sets out to capture that, slightly off-beat world”.
Marriott: Something that will benefit us all
Brian, a local artist and designer, said,
“We secured investment from sponsors for Phase One for which we are hugely grateful as this enabled us to bring this enormous collaboration to life.
“The greatest opportunity before us is the agreement between so many interested parties that a single cohesive, well considered navigable online platform, will establish a positive collaborative content relationship between all sectors and will benefit us all – regardless of our commercial, social, or environmental interests.”
Get involved
If you would be interested in connecting with ConnectedWight please email ‘[email protected]’ with which sector you could help develop.
Plus, they would love to talk to you if you have a positive story to tell or wish to support, donate, or provide sponsorship.
And please follow/like them on LinkedIn and Instagram.
Sponsors
ConnectedWight wish to thank the inaugural sponsors
- The Garlic Farm
- IW Council
- Venture South
- WRS
- IFPL
We champion a CONNECTED WIGHT.
News shared by Brian on behalf of Connected Wight. Ed
