Lewin Signs for Government on Three-Year Contract

After aCONFIRMED: The CEO’s six-month loan spell has been made a permanent moveas interim boss, Mark Lewin has signed a three-year deal as Chief Executive Officer of the Isle of Man Government in an extraordinary capture for the Cabinet’s backroom.

Lewin stepped in as caretaker on 1 April 2025 following the March departure of Andy Ralphs. Before taking the armband, he was Chief Officer at the Department for Enterprise, having joined government in 2012.

Prior to that, the well-travelled gaffer spent more than 25 years playing home and away in the private sector.

Earlier roles include Head of Technology for the Crown Dependencies and Managing Director of Isle of Man Bank – a CV that suggests he can operate in a variety of positions.

Chief Minister Alfred Cannan MHK said Lewin had, since April, ‘brought a renewed sense of purpose and cohesion to delivering key policies set out in the Island Plan and leading the Civil Service’.

Eyeing a hectic fixture list, he added: ‘The Isle of Man is facing a number of significant moments over the next eighteen months including a general election and an evaluation by MONEYVAL. In the run up to these events, there are many priorities we still want to deliver, including a drive on efficiencies and transformation. We will need a stable leadership team in place across the public service during this period, and I am pleased that Mark has agreed to stay in post on a three-year limited term contract.’

The recruitment ‘window’ for the role is expected to open in late 2027 or early 2028 – giving the next Council of Ministers time to settle before any fresh contract talks.

Lewin said: ‘Since my appointment in April I have greatly enjoyed working with colleagues across the whole of the public service and I really appreciate the support I have received from everyone, including chief officers and the Council of Ministers. The next twelve months will be critical to completing delivery of the priorities set out by this Government and in preparing for the next administration.’

He added: ‘I am grateful for the opportunity to continue the important work of leading the public service. Over the last six months a new performance management framework has been introduced across the top leadership team and we continue our work to improve the quality and efficiency of public services through the Island Plan and the Efficiency Programme. We have many amazing public servants delivering services every hour of every day, and I look forward to continuing to play my part in supporting them to deliver high quality and efficient public services.’