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26 Candidates In The Running For New Visit Isle Of Wight Board

  • Writer: Dominic Kureen
    Dominic Kureen
  • 4 hours ago
  • 3 min read
(c) Visit Isle of Wight
(c) Visit Isle of Wight

A total of 26 Island business leaders have put themselves forward to sit on the new Visit Isle of Wight board, as the organisation moves to re-establish full compliance with its governance rules.


The nominees come from across the Island’s tourism and leisure industry, representing businesses large and small — from hotels and holiday parks to some of the Isle of Wight’s most well-known attractions, including Robin Hill and Blackgang Chine.


Online voting will open on Monday 20 October 2025 and close at midday on Friday 31 October 2025.


The election will be conducted entirely online, with each BID-levy payer receiving one vote per business.


Votes will be validated using each business’s unique BID reference number, found on correspondence from Visit Isle of Wight or billing information from the Isle of Wight Council.


The 12 nominees with the highest number of votes will be appointed as Visit Isle of Wight BID Levy Payer Board Directors, subject to ratification at a General Meeting during the week commencing 10 November 2025.


If results are inconclusive, further electronic ballots may be held to determine the remaining places.


Why a New Election Is Being Held


Visit Isle of Wight confirmed it had launched the election process after discovering that required interim elections had not previously been held.


The enterprise says it launched a new election process to ensure full compliance, with voting open to all BID-levy payers.


Tourism and leisure businesses of all types and sizes were invited to put forward nominees for the Board of Directors.


After a call for greater participation, the organisation says it has received strong engagement, with 26 people stepping forward.


Visit Isle of Wight says those elected will help shape the future of tourism on the Island — supporting growth, extending the visitor season, and maintaining the Isle of Wight’s appeal to visitors all year round.


The new board is expected to be in place by mid-November.


Visit Isle of Wight says it will then take “all positive steps” to strengthen governance and accountability, including a review of its Articles of Association, the appointment of a company secretary, and the introduction of member conferences and AGMs.


It also confirmed that all board members serve voluntarily, while Chair David Curtis-Brignell and Managing Director Will Myles are paid for additional responsibilities beyond their directorship roles.


Two separate funding streams support Visit Isle of Wight’s work — with BID-levy funds used solely for marketing, and all operational costs (including salaries) covered by other revenue.


The company’s accounts are fully audited and publicly available via Companies House.


Nominees for election to the Board of Directors of Visit Isle of Wight are as follows:


  • John Allen (Bermuda House)

  • Stephen Ansell (Parterre House Apartments)

  • Martin Bull (Thai By Ja and Charter House Guest House)

  • Lawrence Bates (Wildheart Animal Sanctuary)

  • Laura Baxter (The Orchards Holiday Park)

  • Sally Beston (Snowdon House)

  • Matthew Brooks (The Royal Hotel)

  • Karl Brown (Fernhill Barns)

  • Thomas Cowley (Camp Wight)

  • Derek Curtis (Amazon World)

  • Claire Davies (Parkdean Resorts)

  • Edward Day (Monkey Madness)

  • Maria Aireen Gauntlett (Torwood)

  • Michael Greenslade (National Trust)

  • David Groocock (St Maur)

  • David Holmes (Garlic Festival)

  • Andrew Kinnaird (The Wellington Hotel)

  • Tim Marshall (Compton Grange)

  • Neil Mason (Town Choice Cafe)

  • Marc Morgan Huws (IW Steam Railway)

  • Lee Priddle (Robin Hill)

  • Giles Robertson (Gills Cliff Road)

  • Steve Smith (SPS Restaurants)

  • Nick Spyker (Sandringham Hotel)

  • Steven Wells (Luccombe Hall Hotel)

  • Dominic Wray (Blackgang Chine)


Membership and How to Get Involved


Visit Isle of Wight is also encouraging businesses to become members of Visit Isle of Wight Ltd.


Membership is free, and allows individuals to attend general meetings and member-only events.


Anyone taking up a board position must be a registered member.


The membership form can be found here.


Full details of the nominees and election process can be viewed at visitwightpro.com/director-biographies-2025.

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