A non-executive chairman and a chief executive to lead the new Digital Isle of Man agency have been unveiled.

Lydia Barbara will take on the role of chairman and Lyle Wraxall becomes chief executive.

Laurence Skelly MHK, Minister for Enterprise said: ‘I welcome Lydia and Lyle to the department and as with the appointments for the Business and Visit agencies we have secured two high calibre individuals to lead our digital agency.

‘Encouraging high quality companies that establish real presence and create local jobs is a vital part of ensuring that we deliver an ‘‘Island of Enterprise and Opportunity’’ as outlined in the Programme for Government.

‘The new Digital Isle of Man agency will focus on promotion and facilitating product development, building on our existing infrastructure and placing a much stronger emphasis on ensuring a range of support is in place for on-island businesses to grow.

Lydia Barbara came to the island to work with Microgaming almost nine years ago.

As their head of innovation strategy, she has extensive experience in consulting, writing, publishing and speaking on innovation, technology disruption and digital developments. Alongside her role as chairman for Digital Isle of Man, she will continue supporting Microgaming running their incubation lab worldwide, as well as starting out with her own new business venture. She is also a volunteer with the I0M Code Club and a founding member of Love Tech, a group of local businesswomen working to encourage girls and young women to explore tech careers.

Lydia Barbara said: ‘I am very excited for the opportunity to help shape and promote the island as a hub of entrepreneurship, both for local businesses and foreign ones considering relocating here.’

Lyle Wraxall is a highly experienced management and technology consultant who has worked across the whole digital and fintech space and is currently head of the New York office for Pcubed – a significant international management consultancy practice with offices around the world.

Mr Wraxall has worked extensively with large private sector and public sector clients in London and America including RBS, Deutsche Bank, IMF, US Federal Reserve and UK Cabinet Office. He said: ‘I have been impressed from the outset by the potential of the island to become a shining example of best practice and innovation in the digital arena. I feel honoured to be part of the team responsible for driving and realising this exciting and far reaching transformation. ‘I can’t wait to get started’