Douglas, the tiny capital of the Isle of Man, might seem an unlikely destination for South African expats. But the pull of its offshore economy and the push of South Africa’s struggles means hundreds have headed to the 33-mile-long Crown Dependency in the middle of the Irish Sea in recent years.

The island of 85,000 people, which is perhaps best known as home to a breed of cats without tails and a daredevil motorbike race, is seeking skilled professionals in finance, insurance, technology and gaming to help bolster its economy. It is part of a drive to increase the population to 100,000 by 2027, double the size of its economy to £10 billion and create 5,000 jobs by 2032.