Chief Minister

Contact the Chief Minister.

Educated at King William’s College and following training at the Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst, Mr Cannan served as an Officer in the Royal Regiment of Wales in Northern Ireland and Hong Kong. He returned to the Isle of Man in 1994 and commenced employment in the finance sector with Nationwide International.

In 2011 Mr Cannan was elected MHK for Michael (now Ayre & Michael) and was re-elected in 2016 and 2021. Mr Cannan has served as Chairman of the Civil Service Commission, Vice Chairman of the Public Sector Pensions Authority and on both the Departments of Health and Economic Development. He has acted as Chairman of the Manx Utilities Authority and the Public Accounts Committee. Mr Cannan was Treasury Minister from October 2016 until he was elected as Chief Minister.

Since being appointed as Treasury Minister, Mr Cannan has sought to deliver a five-year financial plan for the Island that supported hard-working families, provided targeted support to welfare and benefits to support people back into work, created job opportunities through targeted business investment and sought to create greater fairness in society. Mr Cannan had a central role in the purchase of the Steam Packet, the Sir Jonathan Michael Healthcare Review, the introduction of Pension Freedoms, delivering the vital COVID financial response packages, creating the Economic Recovery Group in response to COVID and latterly successfully securing a £400m sustainable Bond issue.

Mr Cannan previously attended CPA conferences in Cyprus and Cardiff and visited the national parliaments of Scotland and Ireland. He has attended multiple engagements in Westminster and at political conferences, meeting a wide range of senior politicians. Furthermore, he has engaged with the British Irish Council and met with counterparts in the Channel Islands.

As Chief Minister, Mr Cannan aims to demonstrate a collegiate and listening approach to policy formation and problem solving, working with colleagues across Government to deliver results for our Island.

Mr Cannan’s vision is ‘One Government building a secure, vibrant and sustainable future for our Island Nation’.

Tynwald Biography.