A CHARTERED town planner from Lancashire has moved to the Isle of Man to take up the position of director of planning and building control for the Department of Infrastructure.
Michael Gallagher succeeds Ian McCauley who is retiring from his post this month after 10 years with the department.
Michael, 44, said: "I am conscious that I have some very experienced shoes to fill in taking over from Ian. The knowledge and expertise he has brought to the post during his time with the department will, of course, be sorely missed.
"My priorities will be to get to know the people, my new colleagues and the Island and to build on what has already been achieved.
"It will be important to continue the effective delivery of a high quality customer focused planning and building control service, which is relevant to the Isle of Man, and in doing so help to make the Island a land of possibility where people and business will find the right environment in which to reach their full potential - whatever they feel that may be.
"Ultimately it is about serving the Island's people to the best of my ability and encouraging the Planning and Building Control teams to shine and flourish."
Michael has moved to the Island from Bolton although he is originally from Middlesbrough. He has spent his career working in planning for a variety of local authorities and more recently a regional local authority led body. His last position was as the director of planning, transport and housing for the North West Regional Assembly successors, 4NW.
David Quirk MHK, planning committee chairman, said: "We believe that Michael's extensive knowledge of planning and best practice, combined with his strong management and strategic skills and our existing team, will serve the Island well in the coming years.
"It is a challenging time to be joining the department given the financial issues of the last few years and their continuing impact on the development industry in the coming years. The Planning and Building Control Division is very high profile, not just within the department but across government.
"It is encouraging that we have been able to attract someone of Michael's calibre to the post and I'm sure he will meet whatever challenges come his way head on."
Predecessor Ian McCauley said: "Planning is by its nature a challenging profession and Michael is joining us at a particularly challenging time as the Island adjusts to the impact of the economic downturn and the global issues of climate change and sustainable development.
"Michael will need to take all of this on board – and I'm sure he has the necessary skills and experience to do just that. In all of that he will have the support of a fantastic team of people who have supported me throughout my time as director."
