These are the 12 men and women who are going to try to attract 500,000 visitors to the Isle of Man every year.

Visit Isle of Man, the government agency that broadly does the job of the old Tourist Board, has appointed its new non-executive board.

The agency’s aim is to grow visitor numbers from the 320,000 who came in 2019 to 500,000 by 2032.

The new board members are David Curtis-Brignell MBE (founder, Tourism Reimagined), Deborah Heather (chief executive, M-Assessments Services), John Keggin (managing director, Island Escapes), Connie Lovel (chief executive, Manx National Heritage), and Leigh Morris (chief executive, Manx Wildlife Trust).

In addition to the new members, Richard Fletcher (senior account manager, PDMS), Sally Helwich (managing director, Isle of Man Event Services), Brian Thomson (managing director, Steam Packet Company), and Brett Martin FCA (chief executive, Palace Holdings) were all successful in their reapplications and will continue to be valued members of the board, providing direction and continuity.

The non-executive board continues to be chaired by Ranald Caldwell, accompanied by the agency’s head, Angela Byrne, and the agency’s political member Rob Callister, MHK.

Ranald Caldwell, non-executive chairman of the Visit Agency, said: ’The Isle of Man’s visitor economy plays a fundamental role in the island’s overall vision to build a secure, vibrant and sustainable future.

’As such, we are excited to welcome our new board members, who bring with them a wealth of expertise and invaluable experience of the tourism industry, equipping the agency with the skills and knowledge to drive forward with our new visitor economy strategy, which will be laid before Tynwald.

’Our visitor economy strategy articulates an ambitious vision for substantial visitor economy growth over the next 10 years, something our research shows is entirely achievable given effective partnership working.

I have no doubt that by bringing together some of the most experienced and influential members of the tourism economy we will be able to successfully transform the island’s visitor offer and position it as a premier destination in the UK and Ireland short break market.’

Rob Callister MHK, political member with responsibility for tourism and motorsport, said: ’The Visit agency continues to be fundamental in supporting the future prosperity of the Island’s existing and new visitor economy businesses.

’Visitor spending provides income for, and supports employment in the Island’s accommodation, retail, hospitality, attractions, transport and entertainment sectors, and a considerable supply chain benefit from the on-island spending of this money by these businesses and visitor sector workers.

’I am therefore delighted to welcome the collective expertise and experience of this new board to assist the Agency with providing a clear way forward to fully capitalise on the many opportunities a comprehensive programme of market research and consultancy studies have consistently shown for the island.’

The new board were inducted on February 10 with the next board meeting scheduled for April 28.

So who are they?

Ranald Caldwell: He took on the role as chair of the inaugural Visit Agency in 2018 following a career in international and retail financial services. Having marketed the island as a place for savings and investments the next step was to sell it as a place to visit, work and live.

David Curtis-Brignell MBE (Tourism Reimagined): His career began in local government working in British resorts.

He then spent nine years at the English Tourist Board before moving into the commercial world where he held senior positions in global international hotel companies, travel and tour operators.

In 2015 he created the new Visit Herts and subsequently became deputy chief executive for the GoToPlaces group (Visit Kent and Visit Herts).

He uniquely served two terms as chairman of The Tourism Society. He co-founded and co-chaired British Tourism Week and then chaired VisitEngland’s English tourism week for ten years.

He was awarded an MBE for services to tourism.

Richard Fletcher (PDMS senior account manager and director of Vin Et Velo Ltd): He has had a 35-year career background as a senior manager in the technology and telecommunications sectors. In the 1980s and 90s, he was an Elite level amateur cyclist, representing the island at two Commonwealth and nine Island Games. Following this, he became an event organiser and has been promoting cycling and triathlon events in the island for more than 30 years.

Deborah Heather (chief executive M-Assessments Services- Quality in Tourism): She has more than 25 years of hospitality, tourism and travel experience; an award winning ex-hotel managing director and a graduate of Cornell University General Managers programme. Deborah is currently chief executive of Quality International Assessment Services (QIAS)- an international assessment and accreditation company working across sectors including tourism, hospitality, property and further education, primarily assessing quality, compliance and customer service.

Sally Helwich (managing director, Isle of Man Event Services Ltd): An Isle of Man travel industry professional for 30 years, Sally’s long-established company, Isle of Man Event Services, has had success in creating and developing specialist, inclusive on-island package holidays, encompassing a wide range of activities and experiences, tailored to both consumers and event organisers.

John Keggin (managing director, Island Escapes Ltd): He brings a experience from a variety of marketing and operational roles, having worked within both financial services and tourism businesses on the Isle of Man and in Cornwall. In 2018 John established Island Escapes, a holiday lettings agency which now manages more than 80 self-catering units across the Isle of Man.

Connie Lovel (executive director and chief executive, Manx National Heritage): Having relocated to the Isle of Man in August 2021 to take up the position at Manx National Heritage (MNH), she has a experience in the heritage and tourism sectors and joins MNH directly from the National Trust for Scotland (NTS) after almost seven years. The NTS is the largest member organisation in Scotland, and like MNH for the Isle of Man, is responsible for the care and promotion of the nation’s natural, built and cultural heritage.

Brett Martin (chief executive, Palace Holdings Ltd): He works in financial and corporate management. Former finance director of The Steam Packet, deputy chief executive of Cammell Laird Holdings plc, and executive director / part owner of ICE Holdings, Brett joined Palace Holdings (formerly Sefton Group) in 2009 and was appointed chief executive in 2010. He has also been chairman of the Isle of Man Chamber of Commerce visitor economy committee since 2018.

Leigh Morris (chief executive, Manx Wildlife Trust): Appointed chief executive of MWT in January 2020, His environmentally focused career spans horticulture, education, marine and terrestrial conservation, and includes 12 years in senior roles at two of Scotland’s premier environmental visitor attractions, the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, and the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (Edinburgh Zoo and Highland Wildlife Park).

Brian Thomson (managing director, Steam Packet): He began his professional career with the UK Maritime and Coastguard Agency. He moved to the Isle of Man seven years ago to work as a surveyor for the Isle of Man Ship Registry and, in 2019, was promoted to principal surveyor, before joining the Steam Packet in 2021 as managing director.