Entrance to The Droit House visitor information centre in Margate, featuring neon art and a clock tower.

Meet the team

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The Tourism and Culture Service team work together to manage and grow the visitor economy. This includes increasing tourism revenue and visitor volume, facilitating job creation, managing our council-owned museums, and providing support for local tourism, leisure, and hospitality businesses.

Paula Harbidge

Tourism & Culture Manager

Paula is responsible for coordinating all Tourism and Visitor Information Service activities, as well as overseeing the management of the Council’s museums in the district.

Paula’s favourite thing about the Isle: Paula enjoys the unique blend of our stunning coastline and wonderful natural environment, alongside the incredible wealth of history and heritage the Isle has to offer. She loves that there are just so many wonderful stories to discover, and lovely people to meet!

01843 577644

Darran Cowd

Museum Manager

Darran manages the operation of Thanet District Council’s three museums; Dickens House Museum, Margate Museum and Ramsgate Maritime Museum. His role extends from collecting & caring for the district’s diverse collections through to exhibition, education and engagement, as well as working with other Thanet heritage stakeholders & voluntary groups.

Darran’s favourite thing about the Isle: Darran loves the heritage of the Isle, nearly every part of the United Kingdom’s history has left a fingerprint on Thanet, from the Roman Conquest to the Battle of Britain!

01843 577646

Julie Edwards

Senior Tourism Officer

Julie manages partnership campaigns and develops destination print. Julie also takes the lead on PR and media activities from organising and hosting media visits to responding to media enquiries. Find out more about Public Relations

Julie’s favourite thing about the Isle: Julie loves the amazing natural landscape, big skies and coastal walks, whatever the weather, which always leave you feeling relaxed and invigorated.

01843 577671

Emma Dadds

Tourism Officer

On and offline, Emma works on the consumer website www.visitthanet.co.uk, production of consumer and industry newsletters, group travel, and Isle Magazine.

Emma’s favourite thing about the Isle: Emma is a fan of the variety of things to see, do and experience alongside the mix of coastal and rural make up of the Isle.

01843 577637

Lisa Powell

Visitor Services Officer (Job Share)

Lisa and Fran are responsible for Visitor Services – this encompasses the Visitor Information Service and the looking after the fantastic front line team welcoming visitors to the Isle of Thanet, including supporting the two volunteer run centres in neighbouring Broadstairs and Ramsgate. They are also responsible for ensuring visitors are receiving a warm welcome wherever they are. This is achieved through Visitor Ambassador training, information provisions physical and digital, Visitors Map distribution, business liaison and support.

Lisa’s favourite thing about the Isle: Lisa loves the diverse natural landscape on the Isle, wild swimming, the many different beaches and bays as well as the amazing villages.

Tel: 01843 577873

Francesca Sayer-Doyle

Visitor Services Officer (Job Share)

Lisa and Fran are responsible for Visitor Services – this encompasses the Visitor Information Service and the looking after the fantastic front line team welcoming visitors to the Isle of Thanet, including supporting the two volunteer run centres in neighbouring Broadstairs and Ramsgate. They are also responsible for ensuring visitors are receiving a warm welcome wherever they are. This is achieved through Visitor Ambassador training, information provisions physical and digital, Visitors Map distribution, business liaison and support.

Fran’s favourite thing about the Isle: Fran is excited by the ever-changing creative and community spirit of the Isle, and loves that there’s always something new to discover.

Tel: 01843 577875

Visitor Services Assistants:

Our wonderful small team of Visitor Services Assistants staff our Thanet Information Centre, welcoming and greeting all our visitors. Assisting with their enquiries in person, online or over the phone. Aside from handling these enquiries, each team member also has individual areas of responsibility:

Charlotte Davies

Charlotte is focused on digital and social media, assisting with content delivery across our social channels.

Lady stood in front of map image

Jan Wheatley

Jan works on our souvenir provision, so visitors always have a great range of options to shop during their visit. She also assists with the Thanet Visitor Ambassador program.

Lady leaning against map graphic on wall

Susan Kirkham

Sue handles our meeting room booking diary and all of the actions associated with hiring the space.

Lady stood in front of doorway entrance

Patricia Marshall

Pat is focused on our print provision, including leaflets and maps. She is also the lead staff member for ensuring we are committed to operating sustainably.

The team have over 100 years experience between them in the Tourism and marketing industry!

“We have had the pleasure of working closely with the Visit Thanet team from the inception of Isle Magazine in 2005. They contribute to the publication, providing the comprehensive listings and editorial suggestions. It’s a small but mighty team of individuals, who really care about tourism here, and make their budget work hard. "

- Kiki Case, Editorial Director, and Simon Abra, Commercial Director