A MAJOR restructure of the government department given the task of creating new economic growth for the Isle of Man has been announced just a few months after the department was created.
The announcement has come as something of a surprise so soon after the Department of Economic Development (DED) was formed earlier this year when the entire internal infrastructure of all government departments was given a massive overhaul.
This morning’s announcement - from CEO Colin Kniveton - reveals key appointments in business development and marketing.
The key structural changes are:
• The former Department of Trade and Industry’s Deputy Chief Executive, Mark Kelly, taking on the new role of Chief Operating Officer. Working with a new executive team, he will drive the operational performance of the Department.
• The creation of a central business development function to be known as the Business Development Agency. This will be headed by current Director for E-Business and Space, Tim Craine. This will leverage the existing expertise in both financial and non financial sectors for the benefit of the Island.
• The establishment of a separate marketing function which will share expertise across Government to build on the successes of the Island’s key sectors and work in harmony with the Isle of Man Brand Champions and other areas of Government to develop the Island’s distinctive offerings in a cohesive manner. This will be led by a Marketing Director and it is intended that an appointment will be made to this key role in the near future with Mark Kelly overseeing this function in the interim period.
Mr Kniveton said that the changes were designed “to focus the Government’s efforts” in a number of key areas:-
• Coordinating the promotion of the Isle of Man as an International Business Centre.
• Developing and promoting clear product offerings which put the Isle of Man at the forefront of those sectors it chooses to compete in.
• Establishing a network of international business representation.
• Developing a prestige inward investment capability for potential corporate clients and high value individuals.
• Refining business support and assistance available for those businesses and individuals located on the Isle of Man which will allow them to flourish.
• Provide training and development opportunities to meet the future needs of Isle of Man employers.
• Build on the significant success stories in both finance and non finance sectors to directly challenge our competitors.
The new Chief Operating Officer, Mark Kelly, said, “I’m very much looking forward to my new role within the new Department and the opportunity it presents to promote and support the Island’s economic sectors into the future.
“My professional background is in the field of economics and statistics which will be highly relevant in this endeavour as the Department seeks to meet the expectations of the business community and the Island’s citizens.”
Tim Craine, new Head of Business Development, said, “I am convinced that the new structures that have emerged within the new Department will help to deliver a more focussed drive for economic development and I very much look forward to strengthening relationships with the private sector to work on the strategies and initiatives that will generate further prosperity for the Island.”
The Minister for Economic Development, Allan Bell MHK, added, “Our responsibility is to drive the economic growth of the Isle of Man for the benefit of current and future generations. Today’s announcements are the start of that journey.
“With the changes made, I feel confident that we can now progress our objectives more rapidly and look forward to updating all stakeholders on this progress in the coming weeks and months.”
