The Department for Enterprise has announced the final senior appointments for the new Executive Agencies, with the appointment of a non-executive Chair and a Chief Executive to lead the Finance Isle of Man Executive Agency. Aidan Doherty will become Chair and Michael Crowe will take up the role of Chief Executive.
Finance Isle of Man is responsible for promoting and developing the Isle of Man’s significant financial and professional services industry, ensuring its recognition as an international financial centre of excellence, in turn delivering long term sustainable economic growth to the Isle of Man.
Laurence Skelly MHK, Minister for Enterprise, commented:
‘I welcome Aidan and Michael to the Department and look forward to their knowledge and experience guiding the Agency in attracting new enterprise, boosting local businesses and securing a positive future for our strong ecosystem of financial and professional services here in the Isle of Man.
‘The appointments of Michael and Aidan have also enabled us to proceed with finalising the four Agency boards. We are now close to having all board seats confirmed. This is another key milestone and will lead to each board determining the Agency’s strategy and the key priorities. The Department is committed to the private-public partnership and is looking forward to the tangible benefits which will be derived from the close participation of members of the business community in the Department for Enterprise’s new approach to economic development.’
Aidan’s career in the financial services industry has spanned over 40 years, the majority of them in the Isle of Man, having moved to the Island in 1984. His career, largely in Banking, has seen him based in Ireland and the Cayman Islands, as well as the Isle of Man, all of which has provided Aidan with an in-depth knowledge of the financial services industry generally.
Commenting on his appointment, Aidan said:
‘I’m honoured to have been appointed as Chair of Finance Isle of Man and am looking forward to the strategic challenges and responsibilities that the role will bring. The Island has been subject to a lot of scrutiny of late but I am positive for the future of the Finance Sector as I firmly believe it has a very solid foundation from which to build on.
‘Furthermore, we are very fortunate to have the board of the Finance Agency made up of some very talented and experienced people, all of whom are intent on one thing – delivering the best for the Island. Needless to say Government’s initiative in forming the four new Agencies shows its willingness to engage comprehensively with all sectors of industry, which in itself has got to be positive for the Island.’
Michael is currently a Director at Grant Thornton Limited. He is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, the former President of the Isle of Man Chamber of Commerce and former Chair of the Isle of Man Society of Chartered Accountants. He has spent 27 years working on the Island with a wide variety of local clients and organisations of all sizes, covering all sectors of the local economy.
Michael commented:
‘I have very much enjoyed being able to build my career on the Island and, through my current role with Grant Thornton, I have enjoyed fantastic relationships with some of the key service providers on the Island. I will leave the company in September knowing that those clients will be well served by my colleagues.
‘I am excited to be moving to a new role as the Chief Executive of Finance Isle of Man. My focus will be on the future of the Island, being part of the leadership team within the Department for Enterprise and working to ensure that our economic success continues.’
For more information about the new Executive Agencies at the Department for Enterprise is available.
