The Deputy Mayor of Tunbridge Wells

Councillor Bev Palmer 2025-26

Beverley has represented Hawkhurst and Sandhurst since 2002. In 2024 Benenden also became part of the ward.

She has sat on various Committees over the years including Overview and Scrutiny, Audit and Governance, Planning, Communities Cabinet Advisory Board and Standards Board. Beverley is currently the Armed Forces Champion for the Borough.

Beverley’s family has lived in the Weald of Kent for generations and she was born in Sissinghurst. Her parents later moved to St Leonards-on-Sea and then to Norfolk where Beverley attended Wymondham Secondary School. She started work at the Norwich Co-operative Society in the accounts department.

Married to a US Airman in 1978 Beverley moved to the USA where she raised her two daughters - Kellie born at RAF Lakenheath in England and Rebecca born at Loring Air Force Base, Limestone, Maine USA.

Beverley returned to England in 1987 to live in Buckingham. She worked at the International Management Centre, a company offering management qualifications in the UK, Ireland, Europe, the Far East and Australia. Her role included administration of Team Management Systems - a management tool based on extensive psychometric research providing insights into work preferences as well as responsibility for the management programme running in Finland.

During this time she also volunteered as a Pit Marshal at Silverstone where she marshalled for many different motor racing events including the 1989 and the 1990 British Grand Prix. She was fortunate to meet the great F1 racing drivers of that time including Ayrton Senna, Nigel Mansell and Alain Prost.

Moving back to Kent in 1990 Beverley then worked for Kent County Council for 26 years in the Property Department.  For 14 of those years she was responsible for Oakwood House, KCC’s own Conference Centre now used for the Coroners Court and the Registrars.  On leaving KCC Beverley worked for Leigh Academies Trust dealing with the accounts for three schools.

Beverley’s interests include Reading, F1 Motor Racing, Horse Racing (she was at Ascot the day Frankie Dettori won all 7 races on the card!) and History - both local and national.  She is a member of the Hawkhurst Local History Society.

Beverley is also a Member of the Richard 111 Society and won a place on the ballot to attend the Society’s own Memorial Service at Leicester Cathedral in the presence of the coffin of King Richard.

Beverley enjoys spending time with her family and 4 grandchildren and visiting historical sites and properties.