A new Clerk of Tynwald has been appointed.

Dr Jonathan King will take up his new position on September 24.

He will replace Roger Phillips LLB, who has served as clerk since 2008.

The clerk is the chief administrator of Tynwald,

He also serves as secretary to the House of Keys and counsel to the Speaker.

The clerk assists the president in managing the business of the House of Keys, keeps records of proceedings, and advises members on bills. He also provides legal and parliamentary advice to all members.

Mr King, 49, moved to the island with his family in 2007 to take up the post of deputy clerk of Tynwald.

He was previously a UK civil servant, serving in the Home Office, Cabinet Office and Ministry of Justice.

Before that he was a historical musicologist with degrees in music from Oxford and Cambridge universities, and a law degree from the Open University.

He has managed committee inquiries on a wide range of social, economic, environmental, legal and financial issues and has delivered training in parliamentary law and practice to Isle of Man civil servants and trainee Manx advocates, and in parliamentary history through University College Isle of Man.

He is an active participant in inter-parliamentary networks including the UK and Irish parliamentary and assembly procedural officials’ network.

With the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association he has delivered knowledge sharing and capacity building programmes in the Caribbean and the Mediterranean.

Speaker of the House of Keys Juan Watterson commented: ’I congratulate Dr King on his nomination for the role of Clerk of Tynwald, following a robust interview process against high quality off-island applicants.

’This is an exciting time to take on the top role with an increasing focus on parliamentary scrutiny, the dynamics of a new administration, and building on Tynwald’s reputation for innovation with tradition.’

Mr King said: ’It is a great honour to serve in Tynwald and a still greater honour to have been nominated for the post of Clerk of Tynwald.

’ I am very much looking forward to serving Tynwald and the public in this new role.’

The appointment is subject to approval by the House of Keys and Tynwald Court.