Isle of Man recognition for IIGA’s Honorary Legal Adviser

The work carried out for sport and charity by the Honorary Legal Adviser to the International Island Games Association, Geoff Karran, has been recognised in a spectacular way.

Geoff received a Lifetime Achievement accolade in the annual Awards for Excellence event promoted by the local publishing group, Isle of Man Newspapers.  The organiser, Trudi Williamson, said they had been looking for someone whose contribution to the Island had extended well beyond their professional career.

That is certainly true of Geoff whose involvement with the life of the Manx community encompasses extensive work for various charities as well as sporting administration and participation.  He played cricket for his local club, Cronkbourne, from the age of 15 and was a regular fixture in the Isle of Man national team, as an opening batsman and leg spin bowler, for 20 years.  Geoff picked up trophies for the best young cricketer, batsman of the year and best all-rounder and also played badminton in the Manx leagues.  He is currently a 12 handicap golfer.

Sporting administration has also played a major part in Geoff’s life having served on the committees of cricket, badminton and golf organisations and also occupied important positions in the Manx Motor Cycle Club as chairman and president.  He has been a member of the Isle of Man Sports Council for 12 years – the last five as executive chairman – and chairs the organising committee for the 2011 Commonwealth Youth Games to be held in the Isle of Man.

Geoff’s work for charity includes being chairman of the Manx Gateway Club which provides social activities for people with learning disabilities, director of Manx Mencap as well as chairman of Project 21.  The latter organisation was formed to construct a new headquarters which doubles as a social and educational building for a number of charities helping people with special needs.

Career-wise, Geoff Karran was called to the Manx Bar on his 22nd birthday in 1969, later becoming senior partner in his law firm, Dickinson Cruickshank, before retiring from the partnership in 2005.  At various times he was secretary and president of the Isle of Man Law Society and current involvements are as chairman of the National Insurance Appeals Tribunal – an appointment he has held for the past 25 years - and as a member of the Financial Services Commission.

As far as the Island Games organisation is concerned, he assisted in the formation of the limited company and then became honorary legal adviser to the International Island Games Association.  He attended his first Games, as an official, in Jersey – and all subsequent ones – having been a keen spectator at the 1985 inaugural event in the Isle of Man.

Geoff has been married to Elan since 1971 and the couple have four children – Julia, Victoria, Richard and James.

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