Meet the Board

The Department for Enterprise is responsible for economic development and the creation of an environment where local entrepreneurship is supported and thriving and more new businesses are choosing to call the Isle of Man home.

The Department has a key role to play in the achievement of the Programme for Government's stated intention to be an Island of Enterprise and Opportunity and we recognise that supporting economic development is of strategic importance for the Island's future growth and prosperity.

The Department's mission is aligned with these outcomes and objectives: to create an environment, through innovation and collaboration, where the economy thrives.

The purpose of the Visit Isle of Man Agency Board is to realise the fullest economic growth potential of the Isle of Man as a visitor destination. They are a strategic and key decision making and advisory body supporting the Department for Enterprise ambition for long term economic prosperity for the different sectors in the visitor economy. Find out more about the remit of the Visit Agency Board and see the Terms of Reference.

Ranald Caldwell

Non-Executive Chairman of Visit Agency

Ranald has spent 37 years in the Finance sector, 17 of which working internationally selling the Isle of Man as a great place to invest. Ranald worked for a UK adventure company as a qualified Leader and he now assists in cruise ship walks on the Island.

ranald.caldwell@gov.im
Angela Byrne

Head of Visit Isle of Man

Angela supports the Visit Agency Board, CEO, Minister and Political Members in the strategic development and management of the Visit Isle of Man agency within the Department for Enterprise.

angela.byrne@gov.im
Rob Callister MHK

Political Representative for Visit Isle of Man

Rob worked within the Island's finance industry for over 17 years. He was elected to the House of Keys in September 2016 and was appointed as the Political Member for Visit Isle of Man and Motorsport within the Department for Enterprise.

rob.callister@gov.im
Mark Lewin

Chief Executive of the Department for Enterprise

Mark joined the Department in 2012 following an extensive 25 year career on and off the Island across financial services, technology, hospitality and construction. Mark instated a full strategic review of the Departments exisiting structure, introducing Executive Agencies leveraging private sector expertise to create a partnership approach.

moira.peabody@gov.im
Brian Thomson

Managing Director, Isle of Man Steam Packet Company

Brian is a maritime leader with a wealth of experience and a background in naval architecture and marine engineering, Brian began his professional career with the UK Maritime and Coastguard Agency. He relocated 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.

brian.thomson@steam-packet.com
Brett Martin

Chief Executive, Palace Holdings Limited

Brett is the chair of the Isle of Man Chamber of Commerce Visitor Economy Committee which represents a broad range of the visitor industry. This Committee is dedicated to working with Government to promote growth in all aspects of the visitor economy.

brett.martin@palace.co.im
Sally Helwich

Managing Director, Isle of Man Event Services

An Isle of Man travel industry professional for 30 years, Sally’s long-established company, Isle of Man Event Services, has had considerable 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.

sally@iomevents.com
Richard Fletcher

Senior Account Manager, PDMS

Richard has a career background in technology and telecommunications, but outside of this he has been involved in the promotion of Cycling and Triathlon events on the Island for over 30 years.

fletcher@manx.net
Deborah Heather

CEO M-Assessments Services- Quality in Tourism

Deborah has over 25 years of hospitality, tourism and travel experience; an award winning ex-Hotel Managing Director and a graduate of Cornell University General Managers program. She is currently CEO of Quality International Assessment Services, an international assessment and accreditation company working across sectors including Tourism, Hospitality, Property and Further Education.

deborah.heather@m-assessment.com
John Keggin

Managing Director, Island Escapes Ltd

John brings a wide range of 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 rapidly growing, modern holiday lettings agency which now manages over 80 self-catering units across the Isle of Man.

john@islandescapes.im
Connie Lovel

Executive Director / CEO, Manx National Heritage

Having relocated to the Isle of Man in August 2021 to take up the position at Manx National Heritage (MNH), Connie has a wealth of 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.

Connie.Lovel@mnh.im
Leigh Morris

CEO, Manx Wildlife Trust

Appointed CEO of MWT in January 2020, Leigh’s 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).

leigh@mwt.im
David Curtis-Brignell MBE

Tourism Reimagined

David’s career began in local government working in British resorts. He spent 9 years at the English Tourist Board before moving to the commercial world where he held senior positions in global hotel companies, travel and tour operators. He served 2 terms as Chairman of The Tourism Society and is now an Honorary Fellow. He co-founded and co-chaired British Tourism Week and then chaired VisitEngland’s English Tourism Week for 10 years. He was awarded an MBE for services to tourism in 2020.

davidcurtisb@gmail.com