BUSINESSMAN Tony Wild has been voted into the Legislative Council.
The election took place this morning, and saw Mr Wild receive 16 votes from MHKs.
Weatherman and Arbory commissioner Brian Rae, who also allowed his name to be put forward, received five votes.
There was one spoilt paper.
Mr Wild, aged 53, of Laxey, said: ‘I am absolutely delighted and honoured to achieve something I’ve really wanted to do - join Tynwald.’
He said he would ultimately like to see MLCs elected by popular vote.
It was Mr Wild’s second attempt at securing a seat in LegCo, having unsuccessfully stood for election last year.
He was nominated by Douglas North MHK John Houghton who said he was a ‘man of integrity who has the skill set to hit the ground running’.
Chief Minister Allan Bell MHK, who seconded Mr Wild, said the vote had come at a ‘critical time’ for the island as it faces ‘unprecedented economic challenges over the next few years’.
Mr Wild began his 33-year career in banking as junior cashier at the age of 19 in the Lloyds Bank in Ramsey and rose to become island director of Lloyds TSB Offshore Limited.
He left in March last year and since then has been interim manager for Standard Bank Isle of Man Limited.
Mr Wild has worked with the government through the Isle of Man Bankers’ Association (president 2006-8), as a committee member of the Institute of Financial Services and through numerous working parties and consultancy groups.
He is married to Janet, who was in the public gallery in the House of Keys to see him win his LegCo seat. They have two children, Richard, 22, and Hannah 20.
The election was to fill the vacancy caused by Clare Christian’s elevation to President of Tynwald.