Barrhead unveils system to nurture its staff talent
Lucy Huxley
Barrhead Travel is introducing a talent management programme to beter look aſter its 800 employees. It will be managed by its first head
of people development, which it is looking to recruit. Staff records are currently held in
paper files, but president Jacqueline Dobson wants the system overhauled by September. “Every member of staff will have a
digital personal profile,” she said. “It will contain every bit of
information about them, from personal data to training courses they have completed, fam trips or ship visits they have been on, and the skills they have acquired. “When we are looking for a
certain type of person to fill a role, we will be able to identify them quickly.” Te Scotland-based agency has
also announced several appointments. Caroline Donaldson was recently
promoted from her role as product and commercial director to look aſter Barrhead’s cruise division as well, following the departure of previous cruise director Catriona Parsons. Donaldson is supported by
Louise Hunter, who becomes head of cruise, overseeing business development and marketing, and Sharon Fox, who will support
Jacqueline Dobson, Barrhead
Mia Austin, former agent and charity fundraiser, dies
Former travel agent Mia Austin, who had locked-in syndrome, died last week. She passed away two days before
being named Merseyside Woman of the Year 2019 and Inspirational Woman of the Year. Austin, who was 30, formerly
worked for Te Co-operative Travel’s branch in Heswall, Merseyside, until she suffered a stroke at the age of 21, the day before she had been due to go on a fam trip to the US. Te stroke leſt her paralysed and
in need of round-the-clock care. She used a special computer that tracked her eye movements to spell out words to communicate. Austin became a commited
When we are
looking for a certain type of person to fill a role, we will be able to identify them quickly
Donaldson with other product and commercial responsibilities. Barrhead has recruited a head
of e-commerce from outside of the travel industry to look aſter the company’s six websites. “Tis is a big focus for us this year,” said Dobson,
Midcounties’ Alistair Rowland
elected as chairman of Abta Alistair Rowland has been elected as the new chairman of Abta. Rowland, chief retail officer for specialist business at The Midcounties Co-operative, succeeds Noel Josephides. He has served on the association’s board since 2012, representing retail members with a turnover of more than £20 million a year.
6 4 JULY 2019
who revealed the websites atract six million visitors a year. Te business is also trialling giving
some branches their own social media pages. Barrhead has a 10-strong social media team in head office that handles enquiries. Dobson said the team creates offers that branches can pick from and promote to their clients. Meanwhile, four Managed Service
Travel Partners (MSTPs) have joined Barrhead’s Brilliant Travel division in the past month, one of which gives the company its first presence in Wales, and takes the number of MSTPs to 39.
Russell Cox joins Hurtigruten
as key account manager Russell Cox joined Hurtigruten this week as key account manager. Formerly commercial manager at Midcounties Co-operative Travel, Cox will be responsible for developing relationships with consortia, agency head offices and independent trade partners.
charity fundraiser. She slept on the streets of Liverpool to raise money and awareness of homelessness, and travelled to Africa to support communities, orphanages and schools. She also completed a criminology course in 2017. Abta LifeLine and Travel Weekly
managing director Stuart Parish raised funds to purchase a specially adapted car for Austin.
Mia
Austin in 2015
Thomas Cook appoints Kelly
Cookes to commercial role Thomas Cook has appointed Kelly Cookes as head of commercial partnerships and sales planning. Cookes, who has been head of Freedom Travel Group since 2014, will take up the role when she returns from maternity leave in August. Matt Harding replaces Cookes as head of Freedom Travel Group, which Cook owns.
travelweekly.co.uk
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