Howard Quayle MHK and Richard Ronan MHK join the Department for the first time, to work alongside existing Members Alan Crowe MLC, Laurence Skelly MHK and Tony Wild MLC.
The new delegations are:
Laurence Skelly MHK: Tourism & Motorsport.
Richard Ronan MHK: the Business Development portfolio including e-business, information and communication technology, manufacturing, retail, film and media and attracting and assisting high value individuals. He is also responsible for energy policy; clean technology and biotechnology; construction; mines and minerals and the Department’s properties.
Howard Quayle MHK: Isle of Man Aircraft Registry; Isle of Man Ship Registry; e-Gaming; Space.
Alan Crowe MLC retains delegated responsibility for Financial Services and the Companies Registry.
Tony Wild MLC retains delegated responsibility for the Employment and Skills Group and the Information Systems Division (ISD). Employment and Skills Group’s responsibilities include areas such as Training Services, the Job Centre, Careers Service and Work Permits.
The Minister commented:
'I am delighted to welcome Mr Quayle and Mr Ronan to the team. Since their election to the House of Keys I have been aware of their commitment and interest in economic development. Like me, they are determined to play a full role in growing the Island’s economy.'
'Having worked with Mr Skelly since 2011 I am confident that he will continue the excellent work that has been undertaken within Tourism which saw overall visitor spend increase by 5% in 2012. He brings considerable experience to the role and his recent responsibilities with the Department of Community Culture and Leisure, the Isle of Man Arts Council and the 2014 Island of Culture mean he is well aware of what the Island has to offer visitors.'
'I look forward to working with the new team to deliver our objectives and to ensure that the Isle of Man remains a highly regarded International Business Centre with a successful and diverse economy.'
The Minister was also keen to thank the outgoing Members of the Department, Geoff Corkish MBE MLC and Alex Downie OBE MLC.
He continued:
'I would also like to thank Geoff Corkish and Alex Downie for their tremendous contribution to the Department over many years and I have thoroughly enjoyed working with them since becoming Minister.'
'As Member with responsibility for Tourism and Motorsport Geoff Corkish oversaw the launch of the new strategy for Tourism and the Visitor Economy last year which is already demonstrating tangible results. Motorsport continues to go from strength to strength with the world famous TT Races now being viewed around the world on TV and with 2013 seeing the inaugural Isle of Man Festival of Motorcycling.'
'Alex Downie has been instrumental in driving the success and profile of our emerging sectors such as e-Gaming, Aviation Management and Space, as well as for more established sectors such as maritime through his responsibilities with the Isle of Man Ship Registry.'
'He has helped lay the foundations for success in all of these sectors in which the Isle of Man is now widely regarded as being among the best in the world. This has been key to the development of a diverse economy, its continuous growth and delivered a positive profile for the Island.'
