About Me
Hello, I’m Juan McGuinness. I was lucky enough to grow up in Ramsey, and I’ve chosen to make it my home ever since.
I went to school at Auldyn Infants and Albert Road, and then finished my education at Ramsey Grammar School. My mum, Elizabeth, spent her whole life in Ramsey and my dad, Bernie, moved here from Liverpool in the 1970s. They met while working together in the local banks and built their lives around the day to day life of the town.
I’ve spent 25 years working in financial services, with the last 18 focused on compliance. In simple terms, that means making sure businesses follow the rules, act responsibly, and are held to proper standards. It’s shaped how I approach things - with a focus on scrutiny, accountability, and asking questions when something doesn’t feel right.
Ten years ago I stood for election as a Ramsey Town Commissioner, because I wanted to give something back. To me, this meant getting involved with the day to day running of the town, in order to benefit and improve the lives of the people who live and visits here. That quickly became more than just an interest. I’ve worked to be open, approachable and willing to speak up, not just go along with things for the sake of it.
People tend to know me as someone who says what I think, keeps things straightforward, and stands up for Ramsey. That matters to me. This town isn’t just a place where I live, it’s my home, and I take representing it seriously.
Outside of work and public life, things are fairly simple. I enjoy spending time with my partner, walking around the town, keeping an eye on what’s going on, and staying connected to the place I’ve grown up in.
Why I’m standing for mhK
After a decade as a Commissioner, I believe I can do more for the town and the people of Ramsey.
I’ve spent the last ten years getting to know my way around politics, the way the Isle of man Government works, and the issues that are affecting the resident of Ramsey, with an aim to make this town the best it can be.
I have learned the different ways in which politics affects real people in their day to day situations and struggles, and I want to make a difference for local people, so they are not just surviving, but also getting to enjoy life here in Ramsey.
I want to take the experience I’ve built locally and apply it at a national level. The House of Keys needs more scrutiny, more challenge, and a stronger focus on accountability, and I believe that I have a proven track record in keeping both the authority that I work within, and myself, accountable to the people we represent.
While working as a commissioner, my aim has always been to be open and transparent in both the actions I take and the reasoning behind them, and these are core values I want to take forward and apply to the wider government.
Ramsey deserves an MHK that will stand up for the town and prioritise the people who live here, and I believe I am the person to do that.