Laurence Skelly is the new Economic Development Minister, in a cabinet reshuffle announced today by Chief Minister Allan Bell.

He replaces John Shimmin who was forced to resign over the Sefton bailout.

Mr Skelly was a member of Mr Shimmin's department before being appointed Infrastructure Minister in March this year. Phil Gawne will move from his role as Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture Minister to take on the Department of Infrastructure, while Castletown MHK Richard Ronan (pictured with Lieutenant Governor Adam Wood) takes up his first ministerial post at DEFA.

Allan Bell said: 'As I have said before, it is vital that we maintain continuity and momentum in developing the Island’s economy so it is good that the new Minister at Economic Development is someone with recent and significant experience as a Member of the Department.

'Mr Gawne too is returning to a Department of which he has previous experience, so he understands the background of many of the issues that Infrastructure is dealing with.

'Mr Ronan has shown dedication and commitment working for Government in a number of roles, and I am pleased to welcome him as a new member of the Council of the Ministers.’

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