Former Treasury and Economic Development Minister Allan Bell has been appointed as the new Chief Minister of the Isle of Man today (Tuesday October 11, 2011). The Ramsey MHK was elected to the position by Tynwald, the Island’s parliament, of which he has been a member for 27 years. He takes over as leader of the Manx Government from Tony Brown, who has retired from politics after a long and distinguished career. Mr Bell (64) was first elected to the House of Keys in 1984 and gained experience in a number of Ministerial roles including Tourism, Industry and Home Affairs. He served as Treasury Minister from 2001 to 2010, when he became the Island’s first Economic Development Minister. Following his election by Tynwald Mr Bell was formally appointed as Chief Minister by the Lieutenant Governor His Excellency Mr Adam Wood. Mr Bell commented: ‘It is a great honour to be appointed Chief Minister at this time of challenge and opportunity for the Isle of Man. ‘The challenge is to rebalance the Government’s budget and maintain the development and diversification of the Island’s economy in a difficult global environment. The opportunity is to make changes that will secure the future of the Isle of Man as a competitive and responsible centre for international business.’ Ends