Ian Thompson has retired as Chief Executive of the Department of Infrastructure after more than eight years in the post, having steered the Department through a period of significant change and transition including delivery of a number of major capital projects.
His last day in the office was Friday, August 9th and he hands over the Department’s reins to Nick Black, who was previously CEO of the Department of Community, Culture and Leisure. Ian, who lives in Maughold, was appointed Chief Executive of the former Department of Transport in May 2005, having previously worked in Treasury for eight years as Government’s Capital Projects Coordinator.
Having started his career as a chartered surveryor, he diversified into project management, working for the public and private sectors in the North West of England before moving to the Island. During this time as CEO, Ian oversaw many changes, the most significant being the creation of the Department of Infrastructure from the Department of Transport and Department of Local Government and the Environment (DOLGE) in April 2010 following the Transformation of Government.
This saw a dramatic change in the structure of the services he was responsible for, along with a significant increase in the overall size of the Department under his charge.
‘It’s been an incredibly rewarding job,’ Ian said. ‘The work the Department does is crucial to the lives of just about everyone in the Island on a day-to-day basis, so you’re always very aware of the responsibility to the public that goes with the position. ‘I’ve had a fantastic team behind me over the last eight years and I’d like to thank everyone within the Department, past and present, for their hard work and support. ‘I wish Nick all the very best for his tenure and I’m sure he’ll meet the many challenges which lie ahead, such as overseeing the refurbishment of Douglas Promenade, which I think everyone will agree is long overdue and something that we have been working towards for a number of years.’
As part of the change to ‘Infrastructure’ in 2010, Ian oversaw the devolvement of the Drainage Division to the Water and Sewerage Authority (WSA), with the Department also gaining sponsorship of both the WSA and Manx Electricity Authority, and the amalgamation of Planning & Building Control, Health and Safety Inspectorate, Local Government and Waste Management into the new Department. At the same time, the Department was tasked with bringing together all of Government’s estates into a shared service which included the transfer of Education estates in July 2012 and Health estates in January 2013. It formed the Strategic Asset Management Unit – which actively manages the Government’s property portfolio and has realised approximately £6M worth of property sales over the past three years.
Minister for Infrastructure David Cretney said:
‘Ian’s role as CEO changed significantly over the years. Some of his key successes included delivery of the modernisation projects at Isle of Man Airport, including the runway extension project, delivery of major schemes such as the Regional Sewerage Programme (formerly IRIS), Richmond Hill, the Northern Civic Amenity site, the marinas in Douglas and Peel, and he continues to be actively involved in the Chief Minister’s Regeneration programme in the Island’s towns and villages. ‘Ian has always taken a proactive and hands-on approach to his work and this year he has led the contribution of the Crown dependencies, including the Isle of Man, to the UK Government’s current “Balance of Competences” review on transport issues. ‘Being CEO of the DOI enabled Ian to indulge his passion for motorsports and to be actively involved in the management of major sporting events such as the TT and Manx Grand Prix. Last month he welcomed the Jaguar E-Type owners’ club to the Island and, as a fan of classic cars himself, was invited to be guest speaker at this event.’
Mr Cretney said: ‘Ian’s tireless efforts and commitment to the Department – and indeed to Government – have been admirable and I’d like to thank him on behalf of everyone who has worked with him over the years, and wish him a long and happy retirement.’
Ian’s successor, Nick, was born in the West Midlands and moved to the Island in June 2000 as Senior Health and Safety Inspector for the former Department of Local Government and the Environment, having previously worked in the North West and North East. Nick said:
‘I’m proud to have been appointed CEO of the Department of Infrastructure, and I’m looking forward to the challenges facing us. There are some major projects to be undertaken over the coming few years, and I believe we have the team in place to successfully deliver them for the Manx public.’
