‘Exciting and challenging,’ says Jennie Costain on her appointment as executive assistant to Ian Plenderleith, new managing director of the International Energy Group which owns Manx Gas.

Jennie, 45, who has held senior PA roles with major legal firms in the island for nearly 30 years, said: ‘The opportunity came up to work with new management at Manx Gas so now instead of the legal language of litigation, injunctions, limitation periods and court deadlines I’m learning the intricacies and language of the energy sector.’

Ian Plenderleith, who took up the role of MD three months ago said: ‘I’m delighted Jennie is joining IEG, not only bringing great experience but also so much enthusiasm coupled with an engaging personality.’

Born in Colby and a farmer’s daughter, she admits that her dream from an early age was to work alongside her dad on the farm.

‘But he had different ideas as he didn’t want any of his children to follow in his footsteps,’ declared Jennie. ‘Just before my 16th birthday I was sent out into the big wide world starting work with Dickinson Cruickshank.

‘It was there that I taught myself to type and learned how to communicate with clients and organise busy lawyers and eventually became PA to one of the partners,’ added Jennie who, to get a flavour of living away from the island had a spell in London with a large law firm, returning to the island nearly 20 years ago, joining law firm Morris Maddrell where she was PA to Paul Morris.

Morris Maddrell went on to merge with Dickinson Cruickshank and that firm went on to merge with Appleby.

Describing it as a ‘great place to work’ Jennie added: ‘I learned some important skills there, both for the workplace and in life but I decided it was time for a change, despite friends telling me I was being brave to opt for a new challenge.

‘I was in no way being ‘‘brave’’, perhaps adventurous, but feel skills which have been built on over the years are transferable into any sector.

‘I’m joining IEG at a particularly exciting time with a new management in place and I’m looking forward to getting involved in community events and being part of a team providing great customer service,’ said Jennie, who lives in Port Erin and whose partner Daniel Bennett is a brand consultant in the UK. As for the all-important skills required for anyone working as a PA she said: ‘Organisation and communication.’