Blackpool tourism boss Kate honoured with MBE by Princess Anne, The Princess Royal at St James' Palace
The Managing Director of Blackpool Tourism Limited and Chair of the Blackpool Tourism BID has been appointed as an MBE for services to tourism and the local community.
For nearly 40 years, Kate Shane has built her career in Blackpool’s tourism industry — from her early days at First Leisure Corporation to her most recent role at Merlin Entertainments.
She was presented with the honour at St James’s Palace by Princess Anne, The Princess Royal.
Kate joined Merlin in June 2011 after Blackpool Council bought leisure assets including The Tower and The Winter Gardens in 2010.
She was initially in charge of attractions at The Tower before heading up the entire Merlin cluster in Blackpool.
In this role, as Regional Director, she led a team delivering memorable experiences to circa 2 Million guests per year at cluster of attractions including the Blackpool Tower, Madame Tussauds, SEA LIFE and Sandcastle Waterpark.
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While in this role Kate employed more than 400 local people and the attractions saw strong growth in visitor numbers, financial performance and guest KPIs, all of which were underpinned by investment in skills training and the wellbeing of the team, a subject close to Kate’s heart.
Kate said: “I still can’t get over the experience, it was a humbling and memorable moment that I will never forget.
“I’ve spent the majority of my career in Blackpool’s tourism sector, and I feel incredibly fortunate to have done so in the town I love.
“As a child, we used to holiday in Blackpool as a family, and I still remember the excitement when my parents told me we were moving there.
“From my bedroom window, I could see the Tower — so to one day become its first female General Manager was truly a dream come true.”