Bell (pictured) was first elected to the House of Keys – the lower, directly-elected branch of Tynwald, the Isle of Man’s parliament – in 1984.
He gained experience in several ministerial roles, and served as treasury minister from 2001 to 2010, during which time he became the island’s economic development minister.
Following his appointment as chief minister, Bell said: “The challenge is to rebalance the Government’s budget and maintain the development and diversification of the island’s economy in a difficult global environment.
“The opportunity is to make changes that will secure the future of the Isle of Man as a competitive and responsible centre for international business.”
Brown announced in July that he would not seek re-election at the September general election, as member of the House of Keys for Castletown. His political career spanned 35 years, following his election to the post of Castletown town commissioner in 1976.
