Meet the Team

Carolyn Custerson, Chief Executive

Carolyn has over 35 years experience working in the UK tourism industry. In January 2017 Carolyn was appointed as the Chief Executive of the new ERBID Company. Previous roles include: Chief Executive of the English Riviera Tourism Company, Chairman of Visit Devon, Managing Director of Close Focus Tourism Consultancy, Specialist Tourism Advisor for Business Link Devon and Cornwall, Senior Tourism lecturer at Plymouth CFE and UK Product Development Director SAGA Holidays. Carolyn is a member of TMI (Tourism Management Institute) Tourism Society and representative of the Visit England Destinations Forum with responsibility for leading on the new England’s Seafood Coast Project. Carolyn has also been appointed as Chairwoman of the English Riviera Destination Management Group.

carolyn@englishrivierabid.co.uk
Tel: 07968 261845

Katrine Harrington, Visitor Information Manager

Katrine is the Visitor Information Manager. She is based in the English Riviera Visitor Information Centre on Torquay harbourside. Katrine first started work as a Seasonal Information Assistant in March 1992 and returned for several years before pursuing a career in Estate Agency. In 2009 the advantage of a failing property market gave her the opportunity to return to the job she has always loved. Having always lived within the English Riviera, Katrine has an excellent local knowledge and enjoys sharing and advising visitors with their often very diverse questions. Katrine has completed various training courses including Welcome to Excellence, Welcome International, Welcome All and DisabledGo and attained ‘Enjoy England' Foundation and Intermediate Awards.

katrine@englishrivierabid.co.uk
Tel: 01803 211211

Alison Bayliss, Communications Manager

Alison has worked in customer and business support for over 30 years, including 8 years with L’Oreal Professional Ltd.  In her role as Communications Manager, she has been involved in the production of ERBID publications including the English Riviera Group Operators Directory and the Agatha Christie Mile and More trail.  A key element of her job is to keep BID businesses updated on ERBID’s work and she loves interacting with local businesses to keep them informed about events and developments within the English Riviera.  Alison is passionate about sharing her enthusiasm for our area and as a keen coast path walker and a huge Agatha Christie fan, the English Riviera is her perfect home and workplace.
alison@englishrivierabid.co.uk
Tel: 01803 211211

Specialist Contractors

To fulfill the wide range of marketing activities that the ERBID Company undertakes, the organisation is supported by a team of specialist contractors, each experts in their own area.

Gina Franchi, Websites and Newsletters

Gina is a freelance Digital Marketer specialising in tourism and hospitality. She has experience working with many of the major attractions in the area including Paignton Zoo, Kents Cavern, Eden Project, Torre Abbey and the English Riviera Attractions Partnership. She has also worked with restaurants and accommodation providers, so has a strong understanding of the challenges facing levy payers. 

Gina has worked with the ERBID Company since 2019, and is currently managing the English Riviera websites and newsletters. With a keen eye for detail and a can-do attitude, Gina enjoys keeping up with the ever-changing world of digital and working together to showcase the beautiful Bay!

Contact: gina@imsmarketing.co.uk 

Steve Pearce, Social Media 

Steve is a Freelance Marketer and manages the Social Media channels which include: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube and TikTok. He also manages CrowdRiff, the new visual content marketing software that allows us to source and acquire the rights to user-generated content (UGC) through hashtags, manage visual assets, and use these visuals to promote the destination through targeted marketing campaigns and integrate UGC across all our marketing channels. 

Steve has over 13 years’ experience within the Hospitality, Leisure and Tourism industry working for various Devon Visitor Attractions, Holiday Parks and also the English Riviera Tourism Company before the ERBID Company was established.

Contact: Pearce.steve@hotmail.co.uk 

RH, Digital and Outdoor Advertising Campaigns

Working with the Bid company since its formation, RH is a full-service communications agency who are proud to provide the media planning, buying and creative development digital and outdoor advertising campaigns for the English Riviera. We work closely with the levy payers to develop campaigns year-round, specific to the season and the target audiences: travel, leisure and accommodation preferences. We have formed a close bond with the Bid marketing team as we share data and insights on visitor trends, audience profiles and booking patterns for the Riviera.  Together we are ever-increasing our digital reach into new channels such as Tik Tok and Snapchat exploiting the trend for film and mobile based communication, whilst not overlooking the significant brand impact of high impact posters for a major UK brand such as the English Riviera.

Contact: paul@rhadvertising.co.uk