Powered by
Accredited By:
The greatest advantage of a franchise is that is increases the chances of business success, as it’s based on a proven business concept which has been tried, tested and evolved over the years.
More than 93% of franchises business succeed in the first 3 years, compared to under 10% of people going it alone.
We are here to support you and your business to be as successful as you want to be.
Buying into a franchise is a big decision that needs thorough research.
A franchisor should have a proven business model with a clear structure and systems in place. Money should have already been spent perfecting the model.
The Holiday Franchise Company is backed by multi-award-winning Holidaysplease, which was created on a £6k investment in 2002, we now turnover in excess of £30million. So, in terms of creating and running a successful online travel agency, we know what we are talking about.
Ensure you ask what support system will be in place for you, this is key to your success. If you are new to the industry, you are going to need a lot of initial support to transition you, into the role of a travel agent, and business owner.
The franchise teams backgrounds are all in the travel industry. They have worked for some of the major brands in the industry, so you will be supported by people that know and have done the role.
Franchisees have a Business Development Executive, based at our Head Office. Their main role is to support you turning enquiries into bookings, generating revenue and profit for your business.
All our systems are built and hosted in-house, this means we are able to constantly evolve them to ensure they enable our franchisees to manage their customers and time and effectively.
We have an extensive operations manual, which details all the different areas of the role plus all of our working practices, which we bring to life in the training room.
Along with our support, all our training is all one to one.
Each training session is bespoke to you and your business. The sessions are relaxed and informal, we go at a pace that suits you.
All our training is documented, so if you have questions you can refer to this at any time.
To learn more please view our Training and Support page
Find out much more about our unique model by downloading our prospectus or calling on 0121 200 5561.
Head of Sales & Marketing
My role is to ensure we’re partnering with the right people for long term success. I spend a lot of time answering and asking questions from people who are interested in starting an online travel agency.
I speak honestly about the work that it’s going to take, and what to expect when you join us as a franchisee.
As well as you wanting to get to know us, we like to get to know you as well, so I’ll ask you about your background and interests, what drives you, what you’re hoping to achieve, and much more.
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.
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 Holiday Franchise Company 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 20 years. 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 role as Head of Franchise.
Outside of work my world is centred around my son Ethan and my daughter Neeve who both love to travel too.
Training & Development Executive
I have over a decade of experience successfully training and leading sales teams in the travel industry, focusing on operational and sales processes to improve conversion rates, efficiency, and service.
I was at Trailfinders where I was a top performing agent, before working my way up to various management roles, where I specialised in sales coaching and running the day-to-day operations of busy travel agencies. I then moved out to Asia where I managed a luxury tour operator based in Singapore to the highest sales in its history.
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.
Training Executive
I’ve been working in the travel industry for ten years, having had a previous career working in various management and training roles for high street retail brands. In 2009 I took a career break to travel for a few years – an experience which opened my eyes to the fantastic opportunities in the travel industry – working at European tourist resorts, and on a cruise ship in the Caribbean among other things. This ignited a love for all things travel so on coming back to the UK I knew I wanted to make a career from travel. I started working part time in my local Thomson shop and quickly progressed through to branch manager, then onto homeworking. From there I moved into the supplier side of the industry, working in destination representation and as a sales account manager in the cruise sector.
I’m excited to be back working in the agency side of the industry, using my experience and knowledge to deliver in depth training to franchisees and giving them all of the tools they need to run a successful travel business.
Business Development Manager
I have been in the travel industry for 18 years; travel is something I am extremely passionate about.
I have always worked in sales roles; at industry leading companies such as Thomas Cook and Midcounties Coop Travel. I was consistently a top salesperson so was promoted to a coaching and development role.
At the Holiday Franchise Company, I use my sales experience to support you to build on your sales techniques and improve your performance.
Business Development Executive
I have worked within the travel industry for 16 years. My background has always been in sales, working for companies such as Thomas Cook and Midcounties Coop Travel, where I was consistently a top salesperson.
My last role was managing a high street branch for Kanoo Travel where I oversaw the leisure, corporate and foreign exchange business.
I now use my skills and knowledge to help develop franchisees and assist in the growth of their business.
Marketing Manager
I’ve been in travel for 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 implement Cruise into their product portfolio to grow their sales.
My role is to share my expert knowledge on marketing techniques, so you know what channels to use, and ensure you are getting the maximum return on your investment.
Recruitment and Marketing Executive
My role is to help the marketing team with creating visual marketing content for social media platforms, websites and emails, and making research easier.
As I love travelling and exploring new countries, I came to study from Bulgaria to Birmingham, England in 2017. Recently, I graduated with an MSc in Enterprise Management from University College Birmingham.
Outside of university, I have worked as a Marketing intern for a social media agency, where I helped them with content creation for UK-based small to medium-sized businesses.
When it comes to travelling, I am passionate about various types of travelling, from solo, authentic trips to city breaks.
In my spare time, I like to read non-fiction books, explore different cities and countries as a local, and take walks in nature.
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.
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.
Head Of Tour Operations
I first joined Holidaysplease in 2011 during my university placement year where I studied Tourism Management at Bournemouth. I then returned full-time after I graduated and worked in a few different roles before landing my current role as head of Tour Operations for our in-house tour operator Elegant Escapes.
It’s a really busy role, providing support to all departments in the business from admin and finance to sales and product. Every day is different with new challenges and opportunities, which definitely keeps me on my toes!
Along with my fantastic team we have created a very successful multi-million-pound tour operator exclusively for Holidaysplease agents and franchisees. It’s great to see the company grown and evolve as we continue to develop the technology and processes.
Outside of work I love to travel, using every opportunity I have to jet off on a plane and head of somewhere new and exciting. Some of my favourite destinations are The Maldives and Sri Lanka.
Please fill in the below form to attend our in-person discovery day in our offices in Birmingham’s Jewellery Quater
