My role: As Operations Manager for the UK Holiday Group I manage the busy (and always cheerful) operations team. In addition to the everyday logistics of five coach holiday brands, I liaise with coach operators, drivers and tour managers and plan routes and schedules amongst many other things. The job is ever-changing as we always have a new challenge to conquer when life presents the unexpected and unforeseen! Whatever comes up, we ensure that passengers are always our priority and do all we can to make sure they suffer no inconvenience to their holiday. It’s a very rewarding role to know that you make the difference between a good holiday and a great holiday.
My experience: After leaving school, I embarked on a career in air, sea and land freight. I started as a trainee shipping clerk and over a period of 25 years, I rose through the ranks to become Operations and Special Projects Manager. During this time, I organised shipments from the smallest of oil rig pipe fittings through to the transportation of Claas combine harvesters. As a child, I always had an interest in geography, and so it was an ideal career for me. However, times change and the opportunity to join the UK Holiday Group came along, and in September 2009, I joined as Coaching Controller. This gave me the chance to become involved in moving people as opposed to the previous 25 years moving packages!
My favourite UK holiday destination: Outside of work, I enjoy travelling. In the UK, I have always enjoyed visiting both cities and the countryside alike. However, if I had to plump for one of each, my favourite city is London, and for scenery, the Forest of Dean takes some beating.
My role: Working as a member of the Operations Department, I contribute to the smooth running of our tours across all five of our brands, primarily routing and timing both Glenton and Palmer tours as well as arranging door-to-door transfers for our clients in the central Scotland, North East England and Yorkshire regions. In addition to this, I also work with my colleagues on a 24/7, 365-day basis, ensuring that we are always available to our clients and Tour Managers to assist with any queries they may have.
My experience: Having finished my education, I started work for what was at the time the UK’s largest book wholesaler in the Warehousing & Distribution Department, working my way to a position of Warehouse Manager, where I gained a wealth of knowledge in logistics management. From here, I moved into the transport sector working for a haulage and distribution company with responsibility for route planning, order fulfilment and distribution. I then moved into international freight forwarding, utilising my previous knowledge and developing and learning about customs tariffs and associated documentation across a large number of products and sectors.
Deciding to change direction, I then moved into the tourism sector, swapping the movement of freight for the even greater challenge of people... hopefully using my logistical and geographical knowledge to provide our clients with the best experience possible whilst on tour!
My favourite UK holiday destination: For me, this has to be Largs and the North Ayrshire coast, stunning views across the Firth of Clyde to the Isle of Cumbrae, Arran and the coast of Argyll & Bute. Childhood memories of trips to Nardini’s world-famous art deco ice cream parlour overlooking the sea and the warm sunny evenings of late spring and early summer.
My role: I book entrance tickets for customers on our tours, as well as trains, flights, ferries, and any other forms of transport involved! I also inform venues of the numbers for the visits and send out tickets.
My experience: I have been at UK Holiday Group since December 2001, when I started as a Christmas Tour Manager. I then supported the busy office and moved into Operations. Previous to working here worked for many years in the Distribution Department of Colman’s of Norwich, arranging deliveries of Robinsons Soft drinks and Colman’s products around the country and then for a Road Haulage company.
My favourite UK holiday destination: I’ve always enjoyed visiting the Isle of Wight, having holidayed there for many years. It’s a timeless place to visit and reminds me of traditional family holidays.