Our Board

Doug Bannister
Chair

Appointed in January 2019, Doug is the CEO of the Port of Dover, the busiest port in Europe.  Prior to joining the Port of Dover, Doug was Group CEO for Ports of Jersey. In addition to Ports of Jersey, Doug has had over 25 years’ experience in leading international businesses.  This experience included Managing Director of Maersk Line UK, as well as various executive roles managing shipping businesses in North America, Europe, Asia, India, Australia and New Zealand. Doug is skilled at turnaround, restructuring and transformation of capital intensive transportation businesses.

He holds an MBA in International Marketing (Seton Hall University, New Jersey 1997) and a B.A in Economics (St Lawrence University, New York 1988).  In 2016 Doug was awarded the Institute of Directors Jersey Director of the Year for large businesses.

Born in Summit, New Jersey, USA, Doug holds dual British and American citizenship. 

Joanna Richardson
Chief Executive Officer

Jo was appointed as CEO of Go To Places in June 2025

Jo is a highly experienced marketing leader with a strong background in the tourism and hospitality industries. She has a proven track record of driving brand success and revenue growth through strategic, digital, and cultural transformations. She has held a number of senior roles, including her most recent position on the executive board as Marketing Director at Heartwood Collection, where she was responsible for leading a transformative marketing strategy and rebranding exercise as the platform for an ambitious programme of expansion, generating significant growth opportunities.

Jo has previously been a non-executive director on both the Go To Places and Visit Kent boards, where she was a passionate advocate for the leading role the organisation played in growing and championing the visitor economy. She has additionally held a non-executive director position on the board of Canterbury BID where she was involved in strategic decision making, as well as sitting on the finance sub-committee.

Jo brings with her an ability to innovate, collaborate, and thrive in fast-paced, entrepreneurial environments. She holds an Executive MBA from London Business School and is a Certified Executive Coach with a strong belief in mentoring and developing talent. She is passionate about community-centric strategies and building partnerships, which were key to her success in her previous role as Marketing Director at Shepherd Neame, where placemaking partnerships were especially important for driving footfall and revenue.

Richard Morsley, Chief Executive, Historic Dockyard Chatham

Richard is Chief Executive of Chatham Historic Dockyard Trust and has worked at The Historic Dockyard Chatham since September 2019.  The Dockyard is a large and complex mixed-use heritage site and Richard has responsibility for ensuring the effective balance of uses.  Today the Historic Dockyard is a vibrant community, with up to 1000 people working on site, 800 full and part time students, 400 residents and up to 180,000 visitors per annum.

Richard has 15 years experience working within the cultural sector.  Richard was formerly Director at Betteshanger Parks and Deputy Director at Turner Contemporary. He is also a Trustee of Open School East, Margate and a member of Medway Place Board.