Chief Minister Chris Thomas has unveiled his Council of Ministers, handing key government departments to a mixture of returning politicians and first-time members.
With formal departmental plans yet to be published, election manifestos offer the clearest indication of the priorities ministers could bring to their new roles.
At the Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture, new MHK Dr Rachel Glover enters a Ministerial role after mentioning food security, agricultural resilience and biodiversity in her manifesto.
A former UK scientific civil servant and founder of genomics company Taxa Genomic, she argued in her manifesto that the island needs clearer data on food production and supply resilience, while also calling for more meaningful biodiversity targets.
Council of Ministers
New MHK Robert Cowell takes charge of the Department for Enterprise following a campaign centred on economic growth, support for business and creating opportunities for younger people.
The Ramsey MHK called for faster planning decisions, smarter regulation and greater support for entrepreneurs, while also linking economic success to housing, skills and job creation.
New Education, Sport and Culture Minister Sarah Maltby arrives with a background in education and support services.
Her manifesto focused on improving outcomes for young people, strengthening early intervention, supporting those with additional needs and building on recent reforms to student funding and vocational education.
Jason Moorhouse returns to the Department of Infrastructure, but this time as Minister, having been a departmental member from 2016 to July 2020.
In his manifesto he campaigned on affordability and connectivity. His priorities included reducing travel costs, improving links to and from the island and progressing major infrastructure projects, while advocating a pragmatic approach to future energy policy.
Public Services
Treasury Minister Michael Crowe made economic growth the central theme of his campaign. The chartered accountant argued a stronger economy is essential to funding public services and set out support for business development, energy resilience and attracting investment in emerging sectors.
Claire Christian remains at Health and Social Care. In her manifesto she argued for a long-term strategy for health and care services, further governance reform, workforce development and greater integration between health and social care.
Meanwhile, Jane Poole-Wilson continues as Home Affairs Minister. Her manifesto focused on policing, criminal justice, border security and managed migration, while maintaining the island’s reputation as a safe place to live and work.
The coming months will reveal whether these appointments signal a continuation of existing approaches or a genuine change in direction.
Chief Minister Chris Thomas will also be taking on the role as Minister for Cabinet Office, however Mr Thomas said “there is still scope to support the Council of Ministers with further appointments.”
The question many voters may now be asking is: is this the change the Isle of Man voted for?
