New man at the helm of Manx Gas

Manx Gas has announced its new managing director.

Tony Nicholls will succeed Alan Bates, who left the top job after five years to become MD of Guernsey Electricity.

Mr Nicholls, 49, who'll take-up the post in August, has 30 years experience in the gas and oil industry and is currently Chief Executive of the UK's Oil and Pipelines Agency.

Mr Nicholls says he's joining Manx Gas at a 'momentous time' for the comany, on the brink of a project to extend natural gas beyond the Douglas area.

Work on the conversion will begin later this year, providing it gains Tynwald approval this month.

Mr Nicholls says his appointment fulfills a long-held ambition to relocate to the Isle of Man.

Motorbikes are among his passions: he's the owner of a Ducati Monster S4 and says he's already looking forward to the Manx Grand Prix.