Now in its ninth year the competition offers 10- to 18-year-olds the opportunity to perform at the Gaiety Theatre in a live final, the next of which will be held on Saturday, February 1, 2020.

Ramsey Crookall chief executive Joanna Crookall said: ’I am delighted to support The Next Big Thing, which gives the Isle of Man’s young artists a platform to showcase their wealth of talent.

’Junior Achievement’s mission to inspire and prepare young people to succeed in the global economy resonates with Ramsey Crookall’s belief that giving students the opportunity to participate in a real-world experience empowers them to believe in themselves and make positive choices later in life.’

Ramsey Crookall will be joining long-standing sponsor Paragon Recruitment whose director, Debbie Scrimshaw, said: ’Paragon Recruitment are delighted to continue our sponsorship of the Next Big Thing, raising funds for Junior Achievement whilst providing a showcase for the island’s abundant up and coming talent.

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’It’s an amazing achievement for the finalists of the competition each year, but we also fully value the experience provided throughout the process to all entrants by the JA team.

’The feedback from participants regarding their own personal development, learning and growth in confidence, makes this an absolute winner for us on every level.

’As always we can’t to see the mix of acts which await us in the final.’

JA chief executive Sue Cook said: ’We’re thrilled to have Ramsey Crookall on board as an NBT sponsor.

’The competition has a tremendously loyal following from the business community, without whose year-on-year support the Next Big Thing could never have grown into the life-affirming - and life-changing - community event it’s become.

’Plans for the 2020 competition are all but confirmed already and I’m confident that the grand finale on February 1 next year will, as always, deliver a fantastic experience for our sponsors, the audience and the artists and reveal yet another truly amazingly talented act who’ll be voted The Next Big Thing 2020.’

To find out more about The Next Big Thing visit the next big thing.im.

Manx charity Junior Achievement works in every primary and secondary school in the island to help young people make the connection between education and the world of work.