Meet the team
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!
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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Susan Kirkham
Sue handles our meeting room booking diary and all of the actions associated with hiring the space.
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



