By Carole Dennett
Island tourism businesses have raised serious concerns about the governance and transparency of Visit Isle of Wight Ltd (VIOW), the tourism body funded by the compulsory Wight Business Improvement District (BID) levy, based on their business rates.
Local companies are concerned that there has been no attempt to engage with the majority of those required by law to fund the organisation, as well as a lack of results, with tourism to the Island described as “on its knees”. They also claim that the rules that govern the organisation – the Articles of Association – have been ignored for years. Directors that should have faced re-election every three years have been in post since 2017. After being challenged by a BID-levy payer, the chairman, David Curtis-Brignell, who lives in Kent, has now admitted to the IW Observer that interim elections should have been held, but were missed due to what he astonishingly described as merely “an oversight”.
The board of the organisation, which has a paid chief executive and chairman, and is funded by a compulsory levy, has not been properly constituted since 2020. Business owners also say that, following two resignations this month, the two remaining directors, elected to represent the interests of the tourism industry, have been outnumbered by the three ferry companies and other ‘strategic partners’ on the board. That has also been admitted by Mr Curtis-Brignell.
Mr Curtis-Brignell acknowledged that only 27 of the 1,200 BID levy payers were members of the company prior to the current election process, limiting their ability to attend or vote at AGMs. He was unable to give any details on why the organisation has failed to encourage BID-levy payers to convert to full membership – which is free – meaning that 98 per cent of those who pay the levy are not eligible to play an active part in challenging the company’s activities and direction. He denied any decision had been made to limit BID-levy payers’ representation.
The rules of the company say that no director shall be paid for their services as a director. Yet Mr Curtis-Brignell confirmed he has a part-time contract, but declined to reveal how much he is paid. The IW Observer has asked him what the contract is for, he has said that he will respond next week.
There are also questions about a £5,000 ‘loan’ to a director, which Mr Curtis-Brignell indicated had not been approved by the board. This is a particular point of pain for local companies, as VIOW has ‘been very quick’ to take them to court for unpaid levies – even when they have provided evidence that they cannot afford to pay. Mr Curtis-Brignell said the loan predated his appointment in November 2023 and was repaid early, but did not say whether he had raised any concerns about its legality when he took over.
Local businesses expressed concern that the BID may be lost at the next ballot without urgent and significant change. Mr Curtis-Brignell accused the companies asking the question of being against the BID, and questioned whether they had experience of running such a business successfully. He warned there is “no plan B” for funding destination marketing, and urged businesses to support a Yes vote in 2026.
Elections are now underway, with the company looking for up to 12 new directors with all BID-levy payers entitled to vote, with a new board expected by mid-November. Del Curtis, owner of Amazon World, confirmed that a group of leading Island businesses has mobilised to stand for the board positions, with the intention of regaining a voice at VIOW for levy payers, and to challenge the direction and output of VIOW’s strategy and marketing of the Island.
Another said: “VIOW has registered only 27 BID-levy payers as members and has failed to facilitate the election of bid payers to vacant director positions. This shows a shocking level of disdain towards the very people who fund the organisation when tourism is on its knees.
He added: “It looks to all intents and purposes like VIOW has done its absolute best to keep them at a distance so that BID-levy payers have no engagement and no ability to scrutinise the effectiveness of VIOW, let alone contribute to the urgent need to develop a credible strategy to tackle the tourism crisis affecting the Island.”
The IW Observer has asked a number of further questions which Mr Curtis-Bignall has said he will respond to next week.
