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Or simply call us on 0121 200 5561 or 0787 586 620
We don’t have a recruitment team. We’re all travel experts and a passionate about bringing on driven, interesting partners with a passion for travel.
Whether you’re just getting started in your search for a perfect franchise for you, or you or you’ve been searching for years, give us a call 0121 200 5561, email opportunities@holidayfranchisecompany.co.uk or
Head of Sales & Marketing
My role is varied. I support Jo with the ongoing development of the business, but my main role is to help franchisees build thriving businesses.
I’m the main point of contact for people interested in coming on board with us, from the initial conversations right through to the training. Once you are set up I support you with marketing, website development, sales questions plus anything else you may need, so I’m here to support you at every stage of your journey.
I have a varied background mainly in sales and business development, most recently in travel.
I worked for Trailfinders managing and training sales teams in Kensington and Richmond, winning competitions along the way. I was then promoted to assistant manager in Richmond before making the move to the Midlands.
Travel has an always be a big part of my life. My wife Emma and I travelled together for 18 months around the world and try to take 2-3 holidays a year.
Outside of work I have twins, a little boy Jude and a little girl Annabelle who keep me on my toes. When they’re asleep you’ll find me either playing football, or squash.
I also keep busy in my workshop making all sorted of things from woodwork, metalwork and painting. Most recently I’ve been working on sculptures made with recycled wire. So I like to keep myself busy.
Head of Franchise
My role is the creation and ongoing development of the Family Holidays Franchise business, so I’m busy! What I love about my role is the variety, no two days are ever the same.
I’ve been in travel for over 16years. I had the travel bug at a young age so started my career as an Apprentice and from there I have been lucky enough to work for some amazing companies such as British Airways & TUI.
I spent 10 wonderful years at TUI. The beauty was that I was able to experience a range of areas of the business, such as:
designing training for our Apprenticeship programme, developing a team of regional trainers to upskill our retail estate, managing a team of homeworkers who supported our virtual call centre, managing the retail service measurement programme and designing the look and feel of our retail stores.
I then set up a call centre Travel Agency for Staysure specialising in travel for the over 50’s.
This has really helped develop my skills and give a rounded view of the industry, all of which I’m pouring into my new role as Head of Franchise.
Outside of work my world is centred around my little boy Ethan, who is car obsessed at 2 yrs old!
Training & Development Executive
My role is to ensure you have all the skills and knowledge needed to be successful in the role of a Travel Agent. I’ll be arranging and delivering all of the training sessions that form our induction programme ‘Journey to Success’ and will offer additional support, of putting your new skills into practice when your business has launched.
I have spent the majority of my working life in the travel industry, it has enabled and inspired me on some incredible experiences around the globe.
I started my career in sales at Trailfinders, working my way up to various management roles, where I specialised in sales coaching and running the day to day operations of busy travel centres.
I then moved to Asia, where I managed a luxury travel agency based in Singapore. I used this
opportunity to really explore Asia. My stand-out experiences have been honeymooning in
Japan; trekking across Sulawesi; interrailing through Vietnam and diving in a remote
archipelago in Southern Myanmar.
When not travelling I am never far from my mountain bike.
Graphic Designer
I will create and develop your brand vision. It is my job to take onboard your ideas and turn them into a brand identity that is luxury, recognisable and encompasses the essence of your business.
The brand logo you choose will then evolve across print materials, social media and online presence. This is a truly exciting part of your journey.
Background
They say good things come in small packages…
I am a pint-sized Graphic Designer with over 14 years of experience in the field.
My previous role was working for The Midcounties Co-operative, where I was the lead graphic designer for the Co-operative Travel Group with sole responsibility for developing The Co-operative Travel brand, producing POS, promotional advertising and campaigns.
I also have had extensive experience producing brands/designs for a varied range of industries over the years, but I have to say travel is one of my favourites.
Outside of work, I have a daughter called Chase, who keeps me super busy plotting our next adventures, big or small.
Business Development Manager
My role is to help and support new franchisees. Coach and direct them to help convert their bookings.
I have been in the travel industry for 18 years; Travel is something I am very passionate about and enjoy. For the 18 years, I have always been a seller, I have worked for Thomas Cook and serving the most with Midcounties Coop Travel. I now have this fantastic opportunity to put my previous selling skills into good use and support the new business franchises with their businesses.
In my spare time at home, I have 3 children, who certainly keep me busy and on my toes.
Marketing Manager
My Role is to share cutting edge knowledge on marketing, so you know what channels to use, and to ensure you are getting the maximum return on your investment.
I’ve been in travel for just over seven years, starting as an online marketing apprentice for Cruise.co.uk. I then moved over to the product marketing team to help manage their online marketing, and help drive the sales of multiple major cruise lines. I then moved over to JTA Travel to help implement Cruise into their portfolio and help grow their sales to direct customers.
Outside of work I really enjoy cooking and socialise with my friends.
Director
I’m Charles, I am one of the directors of the business.
I am far too old to give you my complete life story but I co-founded this group of companies and have helped to build it to almost 100 people now. I am particularly proud of the staff we employ, the awards we have won and the incredible feedback that we get from customers.
I started life as a corporate lawyer buying and selling businesses and around 15 years ago I decided to throw the pinstripe suit in the bin and start my own business. My parents were more than a little shocked, especially when I went from a lawyer’s salary to zero salary……overnight!
However, as we are getting close to £20m of sales a year now I suppose it wasn’t the worst decision I ever made.
In my spare time, I love to play golf, I travel twice a year to Atlanta to practise my skills. I’ve also trained to become a rescue diver. I’ve been lucky enough to dive in some amazing places such as the Caymen Islands and the Maldives.
Hopefully, you would like to share in our journey and success and I look forward to welcoming you to the family!
Director
After nearly 30 years working in the industry, it could be said that I’m a travel veteran. The thing is I don’t much care for that tag! I’m still very much young at heart as far as my enjoyment of the business goes.
My career started in sales working for Thomson Holidays in Birmingham. At 22 I was running my own High Street travel agent and bought a second shop in 1997. Both shops achieved significant growth and in a couple of years represented a multi-Million Pound business. In 2002 I met Charles and together we co-founded luxury online travel company Holidaysplease.co.uk which, we both willingly admit, has become a business wildly beyond our initial expectations!
More than anything I take great pride in seeing people who work with us as Holidaysplease Homeworkers transform their lives and love working and supporting each of them along the way as they do so. I am massively excited about the Family Holidays Franchise opportunity we have created and can’t wait to be working alongside every Franchisee as they establish and grow their own businesses. I am lucky enough to have a vast amount of experience and success in the travel business to share for sure.
With two kids in their early 20’s who don’t need me anymore and the very understanding Mrs D, I now get plenty of time away from work to devote to running which I love. I recently ran the Berlin Marathon in 2 hours 54 minutes. Afterwards, I said it would be my last marathon, I suspect that this will prove not to be the case!
Board Member
I joined the team at Holidaysplease as Non-Executive Chairman in the Summer of 2012 and am enjoying helping them to take the business forward to the next exciting level.
Last year I celebrated 50 years in the industry. Having started as a trainee with Thomas Cook I rose to become managing director, UK at the age of 36. I then became MD of the international business, comprising 54 countries. During this time I introduced the famous strap line “don’t just book it, Thomas Cook it”.
In 2000 I moved to become the MD of Lunn Poly and subsequently Retail Director TUI UK.
In 2004 I was appointed as CEO, Advantage Travel Centres, the largest independent travel consortium. I retired from this role in April 2013.
I was elected as the 1st chairman of ABTA in 2009 and served an unprecedented 4 year term.
In 2009 I was presented with a lifetime achievement award as well as being inducted into the Travel Industry Hall of Fame in 2010 and also received an industry outstanding achievement award in 2012.
