Experience

Fred. Olsen Travel Limited
• United Kingdom
• Travel Arrangements
• 1 - 100 Employee
• Director of Tour Operations

  • May 2023 - Present


dnata Travel B2B Europe

• (Ex) Trading Director- B2B Tour Operations, dnata Travel Europe

  • Jul 2018 - May 2023

  Director of Product, Commercial & Sales Centre at Gold Medal Travel Group Supporting the Managing Director – B2B, in the design, delivery and execution of growth plans and targets for the dnata Travel B2B business. Responsible for leading the Product, Commercial and Call Centre functions. Accountability for the annual EBITDA budget and business performance, with input to budget and delivery of the trading performance delivering against revenue, profit and growth expectations. Providing leadership and motivation for the Trading team to deliver/exceed targets. Leading the B2B senior trading meeting, sharing performance, maximising opportunities, driving decisions and influencing results. Implementation and delivery of a 3-year strategic plan for the Trading functions. To develop, deliver and promote a market leading, innovative and competitive product and service offering to trade partners. Leading a team of 4 direct reports within the Trading Team with overall contact centre headcount of 140 and product & commercial headcount of 20, located across Leyland and a home-working operation.  Product, commercial and contact centre strategy  Leadership development  Delivery of business, financial planning, due diligence to realise strategic initiatives.  Succession planning, to future proof and invest in key talent  Brand merger of Gold Medal & Travel2, evolved teams, with additional leadership responsibilities undertaken.  Led the various IT projects, with successful integration. Show less



dnata

• United Arab Emirates
• Airlines and Aviation
• 700 & Above Employee

• Senior Product Manager (Middle East, Indian Ocean, Africa & Luxury)

  • Oct 2016 - Jul 2018

  Led and directed a team focusing on my defined destinations to deliver the Product strategy for dnata Travel B2B Europe businesses, ensuring that revenue and margin targets are met whilst improving customer retention and acquisition. Responsible for the planning and brochure production across all appropriate brands to deliver excellence and to maximise revenue opportunities. Key Achievements  Defined and implemented a product strategy for my defined areas, capturing trends for increased demand for destinations through new product and development of existing product.  Improved business communication through innovation of weekly product news and trading reports, sharing product/trading information to maximise sales/margin contribution to the overall business and raising the profile of B2B product.  Delivered and exceeded the overall B2B revenue, margin and room night budget as well as within the areas of my direct responsibility.  Positive personal contribution to various strategic business projects, implementing change and improved efficiencies. Show less



Shearings Holidays

• United Kingdom
• Travel Arrangements
• 100 - 200 Employee

• Head of Europe, Worldwide, Cruise Product and Ground Operations

  • Feb 2009 - Oct 2016

  As Europe & Worldwide Holidays Manager I headed up the European and Worldwide Touring Product; River and Cruise Product and Ground Operations. My role as a senior head of department covered a diverse range of skills, strategic focus and areas of responsibilities: Product management and tour operations • Directly accountable for determining the strategic plan and commercial buying strategy to deliver the passengers/ revenue/margin budgets for Europe, Worldwide, river and cruise. • Managing a team of product managers and operations staff to fulfill the procurement, product creation, brochure production and operation of the programme. • Direct responsibility for procurement of key accounts and contracts including: Italy; long haul; river cruise; associated airlines and ferry operators. Commercial and Yield Management • Setting the Europe & Worldwide annual budget and presenting to the board • Determining the pricing & margin policy for the Europe & Worldwide • Maintaining margins to maximize profitability of tours through capacity and yield management Marketing • Compiling brochure briefs, paginations and marketing collateral for Europe & Worldwide, River Cruise Team Management • Responsible for the development and management of a team of six direct reports including: product managers; support and operations team. • Responsible for tour/cruise managers and all associated recruitment/training/allocation. Key achievements  Constantly delivered the overall European/Worldwide/Cruise and River Cruise budget for coach, air and rail.  Defined the strategy and programme for river cruise resulting in increased passengers, revenues and margin year after year, since 2010.  Developed and delivered a cruise programme securing and operating cruise charters for 2011.2012.  Developed and delivered a premium touring, short breaks, single traveler and battlefields programmes.  Many awards in recognition of including BTA/Coach Tourism/TTG/Supplier Awards. Show less



BCT Travel Group

• Product & Commercial Manager - Long Haul

  • 2005 - 2007

  As the MyTravel commercial functions were centralised I was promoted to the role of Product and Commercial Manager – Long Haul. The role involved coordinating and directing the Product and Contracts Managers to buy and supply product as deemed by the commercial product and pricing policy. I went on to produce, manage and promote the brochure portfolio for 2007 and 2008 through coordination of key campaigns with support of the trade team and in house agency. I strengthened supplier relationships and drove the contract managers to secure multimillion £ contributions. During this time the Tradewinds business achieved double digit growth. Show less



BCT Travel Group - Tradewinds Worldwide Holidays

• Product & Contracts Manager

  • Oct 2004 - Sep 2005

  After securing a position within the supply function of the business I became a contracts manager for the worldwide programme. Following the merger with several brands and the amalgamation of the Cresta Worldwide and Tradewinds Worldwide programmes I went on to join the Tradewinds team to become Product and Contracts Manager with key destinations including the Caribbean, Far East, South America and Canada. I established excellent relationships with suppliers and negotiated increased rebates and marketing support by 30% year on year from 2004/5/6. I achieved new business skills including negotiation, supplier relations, contracting and the ability to control and oversee the product cycle from contracting to brochure production. Show less


Cresta Holidays
• United Kingdom
• Travel Arrangements
• Contracts Manager - Worldwide

  • 2001 - 2004