MLC takes on responsibility for business agency

Diane Kelsey was elected to the Legislative Council in 2021

The "vast experience" of a member of the Legislative Council will be a "valuable addition" to the enterprise department, the minister has said.

Diane Kelsey has been given responsibility for the business agency with the department.

Enterprise Minister Tim Johnston said he had seen "first-hand the wealth of knowledge she brings to her work as an MLC".

Ms Kelsey said she looked forward to "working with and learning from experts from across the island’s business community".

The appointment is the latest in a series of departmental changes made by the chief minister following the replacement of Julie Edge with Daphne Caine as education minister last month.

First elected to the revising chamber of the Manx parliament in 2021, she previously had a career in the Royal Air Force as an aerosystems engineer officer.

As well as overseeing Business Isle of Man, Ms Kelsey will retain her roles in Cabinet Office, the Isle of Man Post Office and as the Armed Forces Champion.

Her new responsibilities include working on the local economy strategy and the engineering and manufacturing review.

Ms Kelsey said she was "delighted" to be joining the department's business division, which worked "on a wide portfolio of initiatives and projects" that contributed "to building a more secure, vibrant and sustainable economic future for the island".