NEWS — GLOBE TRAVEL AWARDS 2015
Innovation in Travel Awaard, sponsored by: WeSwap’s Rob Stross and
Stephanie Meyer-Scott, with Paul Broughton (left), Travelport, and Lucy Huxley, Travel Weekly
Innovation in Travel Award winner: WeSwap
Pioneering peer-to-peer foreign exchange start-up WeSwap hopes its Globe win for innovation will raise its profile with the trade ahead of a major summer marketing push. The website allows travellers
to swap their travel money for a fraction of the costs normally incurred using conventional financial institutions – or even for nothing, if among their friends. WeSwap is
and a full white-label option including the WeSwap mobile app. “For us, industry partnerships
“Our
targeting trade partners as a key way of establishing the brand and getting its Mastercard pre- loadable debit cards into travellers’ hands.
Hotels.com is a launch partner and the Expedia-owned specialist website is using the service to incentivise customers to book particular hotels by offering £25 pre-loaded on to the card. Rob Stross, sales and marketing
ethos is about being
transparent and bringing the cost of currency down”
are a key focus, so winning the Globe award for innovation was fabulous and a real opportunity to raise our profile. “Hopefully, it will help us get the business off on the right foot. Persuading partners to help as a distribution channel is critical for us.” WeSwap has been established over the past two years by two founders from the worlds of currency trading and chartered accountancy.
Having attracted a second round of funding
last October, Stross said the firm will build awareness online while also growing its trade partnerships team. A consumer-facing summer
director, who joined WeSwap from
Directflights.com three months ago, said it was looking to widen its trade partnerships. He said the firm offers a range of commercial models including revenue share on currency swaps, an acquisition fee for each lead
promotion is being timed to coincide with when people who have bought holidays start to think about foreign exchange. “Our ethos is about being cheap, social and really transparent. It’s bringing the cost of currency down and ultimately giving our partners’ customers the most value for money.”
16 •
travelweekly.co.uk — 22 January 2015
Penny Akam Unsung Hero Award: Leanne Kane, Barrhead
Name a job at Barrhead Travel and the chances are Leanne Kane has done it. From travel agent and call
centre manager to working in administration and looking after aircraft charters, the winner of The Penny Akam Unsung Hero Award has worked in almost all of her company’s departments. Hardly surprisingly, Leanne,
now product manager at the Oswald Street branch in Glasgow, is often the first port of call for staff when they hit a problem. “They always ask me questions, like if I know the company passwords,” she jokes. Leanne was named unsung hero for her work in any situation, from a crisis to a busy sales day, and for always going the extra mile.
She said: “I have
helped out in major crises from the [Icelandic] ash
The Penny Akam Unsung Hero Award, sponsored by:
Leanne Kane (right) receives her award from Angela Day of Affordable Car Hire
cloud to when firms go bust. I’m often on call and take calls from clients in resorts in emergencies, whether it’s a missed flight or having nowhere to stay. “I never imagined I would win
this award. I’m shocked! I work as hard as the rest of the team; we all work together. This award makes the job worthwhile.” The key, according to Leanne, to coping in a highly pressurised environment is keeping a cool head in all situations. “You have to remain calm,” she added. Leanne, now 31, started at Barrhead Travel at 15 years old and has been there ever since. Sixteen years on and Leanne has no intention of leaving. “I just
love my job,” she says.
GLOBE TRAVEL AWARDS 2015
Industry honours special achievers
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