32 . Glasgow Business August 2016


PROFILE The Glasgow Business Awards 2015 Winner Profile: The Barrhead Travel Group The Glasgow Business Awards main sponsor


Sharon Munro, Chief Operating Officer,


Barrhead Travel, with awards host Fred MacAulay and Ian


Manson, Chief Executive, Clyde Gateway, sponsor


of The Glasgow Business Award for Creative Marketing


That extra mile... Barrhead Travel’s unrivalled expertise in customer service is ticket to success T


he Barrhead Travel Group has enjoyed multiple and glitering success at the Glasgow


Business Awards – and rightly so. Founded in 1975, the family-run travel firm has grown from a single high street shop to a travel giant with 900 employees across 61 UK outlets, including travel agency stores, Business Travel offices and contact centres. “Te last 12 months have been a


busy time for Barrhead Travel. As well as opening three new stores in Scotland, the end of 2015 welcomed our expansion into England as we celebrated the launch of our first branded store in Newcastle,” said Sharon Munro, the Chief Executive. “Our branches and call-centres are now busier than ever. Customers know that Barrhead Travel offer exceptional service, quality holidays and great value for money, and so they return to us year aſter year and


recommend family and friends. “To support this customer


demand, we have launched our largest ever recruitment drive, fulfilling roles across all areas of the business including marketing, web-design, accounts, admin and sales. We will also be taking on more than 75 modern apprentices over the course of the year. What’s more, we are absolutely thrilled to announce that aſter identifying our in-house training team have out-grown our Glasgow head office, we will be opening a brand new state-of-the-art training academy, which will be conveniently located in the heart of Glasgow City Centre.’’ Tis will play a pivotal role in the


future training and development of Barrhead’s people, ensuring that all staff have access to the best training opportunities in the business. One of the benefits for


customers booking with Barrhead Travel has been the extended


opening hours, so that travellers can enquire and book a holiday at a time that suits them. “It’s exciting times ahead for


Barrhead Travel and the next 12 months will include further expansion and a dedication to continually enhance our customer experience. Tat’s why we have been voted UK Travel Agent of the Year at the Travel Trade Gazete Awards for seven years in a row. We’re also absolutely thrilled to announce that we have once again been named Best Large Agency in Scotland – a title we have retained now for 16 consecutive years,’’ said Ms Munro, who is recognised as one of Glasgow’s leading female business figures. Barrhead Travel operates its own


summer charter flight programme from three UK airports to destinations in the Mediterranean each year, taking more than 22,000 holidaymakers to the sun. Te Glasgow company has come a


long way in 41 years and is now the UK’s leading independent travel group, booking more than 300,000 people on holidays each year.


Why has the business been so successful in The Glasgow Business Awards?


“Tat’s because we live and


breathe holidays. While we’re proud of our Glasgow connections, you’ll find Barrhead Travel stores and franchises all across the UK, but even if there isn’t yet a branch near you, our friendly telephone travel consultants are happy to help you source and book your perfect trip,’’ she added. Te company has six specialist


websites, so booking your travel online has never been easier, and thanks to its special relationships with the world’s leading tour operators, tourist boards, airlines and travel suppliers, it is able to offer more choice and the best prices.


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