Visit Isle Of Wight Chief Executive To Step Down

Visit Isle of Wight says its chief executive will step down at the end of the organisation's current Business Improvement District term.

Dominic Wray joined the organisation in February on an interim basis, with a remit to restructure the organisation, review its funding model and develop a business plan for a proposed third BID term.

Visit Isle of Wight says that work has now been completed, with a new funding model and five-year business plan developed ahead of a ballot of eligible businesses.

Under the proposed BID 3 model, the levy paid by businesses would increase from the current 1.75% to a stepped rate of up to 6%, depending on the sector and anticipated benefit.

The organisation says the £150 minimum payment would also be removed, meaning some smaller businesses would pay less than they currently do.

Visit Isle of Wight says it has also restructured its organisation and reduced its operating costs, with two-thirds of planned BID 3 expenditure allocated to projects and services aimed at marketing the Island.

The organisation says it will not recruit another chief executive.

Instead, it is advertising for a Marketing Director to lead Visit Isle of Wight if the BID 3 proposals are approved.

The role will focus on areas including destination branding, marketing campaigns, digital activity, partnerships and delivery.

Acting Chair Steven Wells said Dominic Wray had been appointed to carry out a specific restructuring role and had completed that work.

He said the board and Mr Wray believed the organisation's next phase required a different type of leadership, with marketing at the centre of its work.

Mr Wray said he had joined Visit Isle of Wight to "fix the business" rather than run it long term.

He said the organisation's future depended on "having outstanding marketing" and that appointing a Marketing Director was the right decision.

Mr Wray will remain in post through the BID ballot and will support the transition to the new structure.

Recruitment for the Marketing Director role is now open, with the appointment dependent on a successful ballot.

Ballot papers will be sent to eligible businesses on 1 October.

Votes must be returned by post by 5pm on 29 October.

The ballot will determine whether the proposed BID 3 arrangement goes ahead for the next five years.

Visit Isle of Wight says there is currently no alternative funding source or replacement organisation planned if the proposal is not approved.

Further information is available from Wight BID.