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What was your first job in travel?
It started as a geography teacher, but made the switch into travel in the early 80s. My first job was working for Lawson Internal Travel Services, a Kingston-upon-Thames based agency providing flights and holidays for travel industry staff. After a year doing general office duties I was lucky enough to jump into the Graduate trainee scheme at Thomson Holidays when I took advantage of a last-minute place which helped shape my work-related future.
What was the high point of your career?
CIf I had to pin one down, I'd probably say it's been the opportunity to head up The Adventure Company. Being MD for the brand has allowed me to continue opening children's' eyes to the world around them through stimulating family-focused adventures, from getting hands on with wildlife projects to stargazing holidays. For these opportunities I owe a special thank you to John Wimbleton, MD of TUI Travel's Specialist & Activity Sector who saw my potential.
In terms of a travel highlight, however, it has to be the expedition I joined in 2010 with our astronomy company Explorers to witness the total eclipse from the remote palm-fringed atoll of Hao in the Tuamotu Islands. It was absolutely incredible and something which I'll always remember.
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Senior Director - Corporate Travel
HARP WALLEN
Closing date: 28/03/2012
Job location: United Kingdom
General Description: You will be responsible for leading a department focussed exclusively on driving strategic support and value into preferred supplier agreements globally.
Job Description: To be successful in this role you will demonstrate exceptional strategic and project management skills, with the ability to understand and relevantly deliver market sensitive solutions that will enhance performance according to both revenue and partnership objectives.
Whilst the overall team remit is to create marketing solutions that will support supplier product delivery, the... more
Click here to apply online
Click here to view description
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What was the low point?
The onset of the recession in 2008/9 was definitely a low point after several years of growing awareness of active holidays and subsequently rapid growth in the adventure sector. It seemed that no sooner had the industry started to recover from this than the Ash Cloud descended upon us in 2010. It was a frustrating time for everyone - not least the holidaymakers affected - and, even though we've now even more robust plans in place should something similar arise, it's certainly a situation we can only hope won't be repeated.
Who or what has been the greatest influence on your career?
During my years at Thomson Holidays and First Choice good fortune was on my side and I crossed paths with strong leaders like Dermot Blastland and Shaun Powell. Both of them shared the ability to trust those around them, offering those keen to develop, the chance to take on added responsibility and new challenges under their direction
Where do you see yourself in 10 years' time?
That's a long time in travel and the industry is sure to have evolved considerably during that period! While I tend to focus on challenges in hand and work closer to a five-year time frame, I'd certainly like to be around when TrekAmerica celebrates its 50th Anniversary (in 2022) and The Adventure Company its 25th anniversary (2021).
What would you be doing now if you weren't in travel?
I'm hugely passionate about children and all things family. In fact, at The Adventure Company I always describe myself as 'Mum and Managing Director'. Being the mother of a teenage son is a rewarding career in itself, though I'm very fortunate that the two roles occasionally overlap when I get to travel on some of our Family Adventures.
With that in mind if I hadn't stayed in the education sector I would probably have got involved with a children's charity and fundraising work.
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