Christopher Bland

President IWEP

Christopher Bland was appointed President of the newly reconstituted Isle of Wight Economic Partnership in April 2002, and has served as President and Board Director of the Isle of Wight Partnership and previously Isle of Wight Regeneration Partnership from November 1996. 

Christopher is also Managing Director of Hoverwork Ltd. Hoverwork and its parent company, Hovertravel, are the world's longest established Commercial Hovercraft operators. The company designs and manufactures craft on the Isle of Wight, the birthplace of hovercraft. Hoverwork specialises in the provision of high speed amphibious hovercraft and related hovercraft expertise on a worldwide basis.

Christopher has played a key role in Island life for many years both in business and Civic affairs. Christopher has a role as Her Majesty’s Lord Lieutenant of the Isle of Wight, to which he was appointed in 1995. This role has put him in contact with many senior and influential people, allowing him to promote the Isle of Wight nationally and internationally. 

Career History:
In business Christopher is Chairman of Hovertravel Ltd, a position he has held since 1969. Christopher is Chairman of Vectis Transport (since 1988) and a Director of Red Funnel Group (since 1986).